
Qass 



£^4i 



Book^ 




5!r»%-L 






RECOMMENDATIONS. 



Bro. Graham : — 

I think you are engaged in a good work, in preparing 
sketches of the life of Bro. Phinney for publication. May 
you have success. Jona. Woodman. 

Lawrence, Mass., Jan. 25, 1851. 



Bro. Graham : — 

I am glad you are preparing sketches of Bro. Phinney's 
life for publication. I think such a work must be very 
interesting, and if I can do anything to help, I shall gladly. 

D. Waterman. 

Unity, Me., Feb. 11, 1851. 



Bro. Graham : — 

I was exceedingly glad to learn that you are about to 
publish the life of Elder Clement Phinney. 1 think there 
are many incidents which ought to be preserved, and 
which would be of interest to the church and the world. 
The old man is one of nature's original paintings, and 
ought to be framed before it is too late. E. Notes. 

Providence, R. I., Jan. 14, 1851. 
1 



t^v.Vvil»tti:i: 





J". W Surford.' I.ith 



mmmmR a? jli^iMii it ^j^ jphc je m J^:^r jj jt. 



THE LIFE 



OF 



CLEMENT PHIMEY. 



BY 



D. M. GRAHAM, 

PASTOR OF THE FIRST F. TV. BAPTIST CHURCH, NEW TORS. 



DOVER, N. H, 

WILLIAM BURR, PRINTER. 

1851. 



b^j^in 



'C5' 






Entered according to 'lli^ Act of Congress, in the year one tliousand 
eight hundred and fifty-one, by 

Clement Phinney and D. M. Graham, 

in the" Clerk's Office of the District Court of New HampshirCc 



PREFACE. 



Less than two y«ars ago, at a session of the Kenne- 
bec Yearly Meeting, the subject and the writer of this 
little volume first met. This happened to our lot by the 

invitation of Mr. ■ — Frye, of Lewiston, where the 

meeting occurred. During the meeting a sermon was de- 
livered, which was more deficient in other respects than in 
doctrine or arrangement. It was formal — it was without 
life. Mr. Phinney followed in a brief exhortation. Con- 
densing the whole sermon into a few simple sentences, he 
delivered it to the hearers, whereas it had previously only 
been delivered before them. He breathed into the corpse- 
like sermon ihe breath of life. He caused it to burn up- 
on the hearts of those for whom it was designed. It then 
occurred to the writer that it would be a good service to 
the church, to write the life of one whose words so easily 
carry truth to the heart. On the way home next day, 
this conviction was mentioned to a clerical friend, who not 
only shared in it, but who immediately urged it upon his 
incompetent friend to undertake the book desired. 

A few months after, at a convention holden at Great 
Falls, N. H.j hopes were excited that the time had come 
when the F. W. Baptist Connexion would sustain a peri- 
odical, a leading object of whioh should be, to record in 
chronological order, such accounts of the early laborers 
in the denomination, as time has spared. The biograph- 
ical feature of the proposed periodical naturally recalled 



VI. PREFACE. 

the thoughts just mentioned concerning Mr. Phinney, and^ 
as it was understood that he had kept no journal, it was 
felt to be important for some one immediately to set about 
collecting the materials for a proper notice to appear in 
due time on the pages where his fellow laborers were to 
be remembered. With the design of accomplishing this 
purpose merely, an invitation was sent, a little more than 
a year ago, to Mr. Phinney to spend a few days with the 
writer, who then resided in Saco. This had doubtless 
been the end of the affair, had not Rev. B. D. Peck, of 
Portland, by whom the invitation was communicated, 
taken great pains to overcome the old gentleman's reluc- 
tance, and to prevail upon him to comply at once with the 
wishes of his friends. 

When he came and related such events as occurred to 
him, the hasty notes were taken which form the principal 
portion of this book. In it, therefore, there must be mis- 
takes, but there is ground to hope they are neither seri- 
ous, nor numerous. The great deficiency that will be 
felt, especially by those long acquainted with Mr. Phin-. 
ney, is the omission of the very events that seem to them 
the most interesting things in his life. This is a source 
of regret, but to none more than the writer, and he may 
add, had he not been fully aware of this deficiency, this 
volume would have aflx)rded no one, except himself, either 
pleasure or pain, for some years to come. But, however 
unwise it may appear to others, he permits it to go forth 
now, with the hope that the regret awakened by the defi- 
ciency alluded to, may evoke many valuable reminiscen- 
ces that would otherwise never appear. 

Though the writer owes much to the kindness of many 
friends whom he must pass in silence, it would be entirely 
unjust not to mention Rev. Silas Curtis, who has, aside 
from looking over most of the manuscript, afforded much 
assistance by furnishing many more facts than he has 



PREFACE. VU. 

credit for in the following pages, where, for the most part, 
such assistance from others is acknowledged. 

It is hoped, whatever views the reader may entertahi 
relative to Phrenology, Mr. Fowler's description may 
prove acceptable. On the day of the date of the descrip- 
tion, the portrait, without name, fact, or hint of any kind, 
was handed to him. No change has been made in his 
manuscript, not even in the tense of the verbs, from 
which it seems Mr. F. thought he was describing the 
character of one no longer in the land of the living. 

It has not been in the power of the writer to see a single 
page of the proof sheets. He has sent off chapter after 
chapter, as soon ^s it was off his hands. These hints,*" 
besides being in part an apology for repetitions and in- 
congruities, will lead the reader to make due allowance 
for any other errors he may notice. 

If this little volume, prepared under many embarrass- 
ments, shall prove of any service to the Kingdom of Christ, 
it is enough. D. M. G. 

New York, May 1, 1851. 



THE PHRENOLOGICAL CHARACTER 

OF CLEMENT PHINNEY, AS GIVEN BY L. N. FOWLER, FROM 

HIS PORTRAIT. 



Clinton Hall, April 7, 1851. 

This likeness indicates strong vitality, power, and a 
long-lived ancestry. He was prepared to take life more 
calmly than most men — neither its toils or its allurements, 
deranged his state of mind, or drew him off from a bal- 
ance so much as to make much difference with his char- 
acter. He was generally uniform, steady, stable, and 
could be relied upon. The nutritive functions appear 
large, which gave an ample degree of the vital principle, 
enabling him to go through with severe exercises, if nec- 
essary, and exerted a healthy, benign influence over oth- 
ers, and so presented his subjects and conversation, that 
others became interested not only in them, but in him. 
He had a fair amount of motive and mental power, giving 
a good degree of force of character and mental activity ; 
still, he did not often go to extremes, and when he did, 
there was consistency even in the extreme. 

Plis Phrenological organization indicates a predominance 
of the intellectual and moral faculties — his head was high, 
and comparatively narrow, — the selfish propensities must 
have been rather we^k, especially Destruictiveness — he 
was not inclined to cruelty — was more disposed to love 
than to hate — to create happiness rather than misery — to 
do good rather than evil — to relieve distress rather than 
to promote suffering, and inclined to oppose all kinds of 
violence, and punishment as a matter of revenge, and 
would worship a God of benevolence rather than a God 
of revenge. He had control over his appetite, and ate to 
live, rather than lived to eat. He M'as naturally frank, 
candid, open-hearted in the development of his disposi- 
tion, and yet was comparatively cautious, especially as to 
what kind of influences he exerted. He was particularly 
firm, persevering, steady, and had a high degree of moral 
courage — was not afraid to tell the truth, and stand by it, 
yet he was not reckless, or extra radical in his actions in 
this respect. The moral faculties all appear to be prom- 
inent, which indicate a high sense of justice, love of truth, 
feeling of devotion, sense of the sacred, and regard for 



;>ij(-c-. '^ J. 



X. PHRENOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT. ' 

law and authority — spirituality of mind, hopefulness and 
sanguineness of feeling, sympathy, humanity, desire to 
live for others as well as himself, and to interest himself 
in the general welfare of mankind. It was comparatively 
easy for him to spend his time in doing good. He was 
remarkable, intellectually, for his practical common sense 
— was not so brilliant, theoretical or philosophical, as he 
was capable of excelling in history, the sciences, and in 
all practical off-hand kinds of business. Experience was 
his teacher — he sought truths from nature, and learned 
more from observation and experience, than in any other 
way. The truths he uttered were wholesome, and his 
teachings practical, and always had an eye on the utility 
of what he said and did, and was a good judge of 
things and circumstances. He was naturally systematic, 
methodical, precise, and had a way to do every thing. 
He was free in conversation — apt in teaching, and very 
much disposed to tell others what he knew himself. He 
was good at describing, comparing, and associating — was 
apt in criticism, and made many striking remarks. He 
was a good judge of human nature, and seldom missed 
in his efforts to do good. The social faculties were prob- 
ably strong, jcdging from the physiognomy, and general 
make of the head ; if so, he was lively, warm-hearted, 
fond of society, and delighted to come in contact with 
others, was decidedly fond of female society, and appre- 
ciated the marriage relation much, also children, and took 
great interest in their welfare. His selfishness was based 
in his animal wants — they being fairly supplied, left his 
mind free to live for the welfare of others. 

If a professional man, he Avould succeed best as a min- 
ister or physician ; next to those, as a teacher. If a 
business man, his practical judgment — how to manage 
men, and buy up stock, and take advantage of circum- 
stances, was his forte. 

His jokes were decidedly practical, useful and appro- 
priate ; he mingled much useful information with his 
jokes — was really witty ; could be quite sarcastic, yet was 
so good natured about it, as to give no offence — in fact, 
he had license by common consent, to say what he pleased, 
and no one took offence at it, because it was said in so 
common-sense a manner. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 
CHAPTER L— From his Birth to his Conversion, 13 
CHAPTER n. — From his Conversion to his Union 

with the Church, .... 25 
CHAPTER HI.— From the time of his Admission 
to the Church to his First Tour as an Evan- 
gelist, 34 

CHAPTER IV.— His First Tour as an EvangeHst, 45 
CHAPTER v.— His Second Tour as an Evangelist, 55 
CHAPTER VI.— His Ordination, and Trials in re- 
gard to the Support of his Family, . . 68 
CHAPTER VII.— Cochran and Cochranism, . 78 

CHAPTER VIII.— To his Removal to Harrison, in 

1824, 93 

CHAPTER IX.— To his Removal to Buckfield, . 112 
CHAPTER X.— Sketches of his Labors from 1830 

to 1842, 129 

CHAPTER XL— Mr. Phinney as a Preacher, . 148 
CHAPTER XIL— Miscellaneous Incidents.— Clos- 
ing Remarks, 167 



..Sir->.' ^--■-'•^ " - - . 



LIFE or CLEMENT PHINNEY. 



CHAPTER I. 

FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS CONVERSION. 

Clement Phinnet was born in Gorham, Maine, 
August 16th, 1780. To this town, John Phinney, his 
great-grandfather, removed from Cape Cod, Mass., 
more than a hundred years ago. That this ancestor 
of his first settled Gorham, and the date of his settle- 
ment, appear from the following copy of a part of the 
inscription on a block of granite, erected at " Gorham 
Corners," by public authority : 

Capt. 
John Phinnev 
commenced the 
first settlement of this town 
May 1736. 
To Edmund Phinney, son of John, and grand- 
father of Clement, though only fourteen years of age 
at the time of "the settlement," is attributed the hon- 
or of felling the first tree cut in the town by the 



14 THE LIFE OF 

white man's axe. Tradition makes him the hero of 
other exploits in equal esteem among pioneers. Of 
these the following may be of interest to some : 

The first inhabitants of Gorham, like those of most 
frontier towns, especially in those times, suffered from 
the attacks of hostile tribes of Indians. "When Ed- 
mund was only twenty years of age, it is related, 
that to ascertain if the enemy was near, he with two 
others was sent forth from the fort, which the inhab- 
itants had built upon a spot still known as " Fort 
Hill." The party had proceeded but a little way, 
when Edmund, as he stepped upon a stump the bet- 
ter to observe, saw three Indians skulking in the 
thick under-wood. He had time only to exclaim, 
" Here they are," till they fired upon him. He fell, 
and his companions snatching him up for dead, hast- 
ened back to the fort. Fortunately, being only 
stunned, he speedily recovered. Two balls wounded 
his head, and a third passed through the flesh of the 
arm. It was ascertained afterward that these Indians 
were his personal acquaintances and play-fellows ; 
and, that they aimed at him especially, as they them- 
selves confessed when peace returned, because they 
feared in him a formidable enemy. 

This anecdote, though without the heroic denoue- 
ment of many that are related of him, gives us a 
glimpse of the kind of training through which many 
of our ancestors passed, preparatory to the great strug- 
gle for Independence — a struggle which was then 
approaching, and in which this Edmund served to 
good purpose as a Colonel. 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 15 

One of those wlio carried him to the fort was his 
future father-in-law, Clement Meserve, whose Chris- 
tian name has descended to the subject of our sketch- 
es. Edmund's third son, Edmund, Jr., was Clement 
Phinney's father. He married Sarah Hamblen, some 
descendants of whose family are still residing in Gor- 
ham. Of the eight children sprung from this mar- 
riage, the eldest is Clement, to whom we now re- 
turn. 

Of his childhood and youth we have but few things 
to relate, and none of these wonders. There is not 
often a case of which it may be said with so much 
truth, however, that he inherited a good physical con- 
stitution, and consequently a large share of good na- 
ture and cheerfulness, as well as that strong common 
sense which is so exceedingly rare, notwithstanding 
its name. 

His intellectual endowments present that combina- 
tion which is adapted to quick and accurate observa- 
tion, rather than to profound and consecutive reason- 
ing. His talent, as we say, is practical, rather than 
theoretical — adapted to present visible execution, rath- 
er than to operating silently and systematically upon 
ages. His impulses in youth and middle age were 
strong, but combined with those generous sentiments 
which render even a forcible nature agreeable. 

His love of music, even in childhood, was exces- 
sive. He early learned to exercise his powers of 
song, by which he attached his equals to himself, and 
rendered his company desirable to adults. This tal- 
ent, being cultivated and consecrated to God, has 



16 THE LIFE OF 

been, as we shall hereafter see, very instrumental in 
awakening in the human heart responses to the calls 
of the Divine Word. Aptness " to teach" he pos- 
sesses to a degree quite above mediocrity ; and anoth- 
er talent, quite as important to the minister, an in- 
stinctive capability of acquiring friends, without mak- 
ing at the same time an equal number of enemies. 

The other natural endowments by which, through 
a long series of years, he has been able to hold the 
undivided attention of large audiences, may be indi- 
cated, perhaps sufficiently, by saying that he has in 
his composition a rich vein of genuine wit, and not a 
slight sprinkle of enthusiasm, accompanied by an 
eccentricity, which, though it will not bear imitation, 
is nevertheless very agreeable, because in him it is 
perfectly spontaneous. The glow of enthusiasm, and 
a striking eccentricity, when combined in a public 
speaker of no more than ordinary qualifications in 
other respects, while they have no little effect upon 
the learned, never foil to exercise a controlling influ- 
ence over the mass of mankind. 

His advaiitages for education, in the ordinary sense 
of the term, were such only as the district school of 
New England fifty years ago affi^rded. The educa- 
tion here received he improved, however, by teach- 
ing ; but. it must be remembered that the common 
school fifty years ago was not what it now is. If we 
judge of the schools of those days by the noble men 
with which they blessed the world, we shall not, how- 
ever, come to the conclusion that they were altogeth- 
er deficient. 



CLEMENT PniNNEY. 17 

To become acquainted with his theological educa- 
tion, we have not to follow him to the feet of any 
Gamaliel, but to follow him long years in the actual 
warfare of practical life. So far then, as he has pro- 
ceeded in his studies — for he has not yet graduated — 
it is our purpose to follow him. Having introduced 
the reader to the natural man, we invite him to ob- 
serve the development of this combination of facul- 
ties, under the various influences of good and bad to 
which he has been subjected, and under the like of 
which each one, who lives long in this world, must 
decide for himself whether he will be saved or lost. 

The reader rightly infers that in youth he was very 
fond of merry-making company. Still, amid youth- 
ful excitements and the influence afforded by the ex- 
ample of depraved companions, he never fell into the 
disgusting vice of profanity. For this preservation 
he still cherishes a lively gratitude for his mother's 
influence. Happy will it be for our country, when 
each son can bear a similar testimony to his mother'i 
worth. 

When about eighteen, Mr. Phinney was attacked 
on a side, however, not so well fortified by parental 
influence. By some vile men, such as yet infest soci- 
ety in great abundance, he was enticed to places for 
drinking and gambling. "Well nigh did his musical 
talent, in this instance, prove the occasion of his ruin. 
Under the admonitions of the Spirit of God, he was 
toon rescued from those places of degradation. 

Soon after, he was taken very ill of a fever, from 

which his friends despaired of his recovery. He 
2 



(_ii^f 



18 THE LIFE OP 

began to reflect upon his religious interests. Beyond 
the grave there was for him neither light nor hope. 
In the deep anguish of a soul, conscious of a want of 
preparation for the exchange of worlds, he vowed, if 
his life should be spared, to devote the rest of his 
days to the service of God. His vows, like all oth- 
ers made to postpone present duty, were made only 
to be broken. Upon his recovery, though no longer 
found in the company of gamblers, there were few 
balls within his reach without his presence. In mere 
pleasure he sought for happiness. 

For the age of twenty-one he looked forward with 
those bright anticipations which are the invariable 
ushers of disappointments correspondingly sad. A 
gloom overtook this pleasure-seeker, as, sooner or 
later, all such are overtaken. It was so marked that 
his father and other friends inquired for its origin. 
To them he returned almost any answer but the true 
one, a want of communion with his Maker. Vainly 
he pursues the same course, though his mental night 
becomes more and more dismal. 

In his twenty-third year, [March, 1803,] he was 
married to Joanna, daughter of Captain Josiah Wal- 
lace, of Cape Elizabeth. Both with hearty good 
will left their pleasure-going associations to seek for 
happiness in the pursuit of wealth. With good pros- 
pects he entered upon business in his native town. 
But success in worldly good cannot banish a sense of 
internal poverty. 

During his twenty-fourth year, under the pressure 
of his unhappy spirit, he betook himself to prayer for 



■i> If f1li> iir • 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 19 

the first time in his life. This only revealed to him 
more clearly his sad want of conformity to the divine 
law. Sin revived in him with unwonted power. His 
hopes died. But, instead of applying to a crucified 
and risen Christ to deliver him from the death in 
which his spirit was struggling, he thought to banish 
his wretchedness by fleeing to the company of those 
who spoke of the Savior only to deride. Such, how- 
ever, is God's mercy, that his Spirit, to increase con- 
viction, often employs the very means to which the 
sinner resorts to escape from it altogether, and thus 
leads him who was bent upon destruction to that re- 
pentance not to be repented of. Take some illustra- 
tions. 

In the winter of the twenty-sixth year of his age, 
Mr. Phinney, with the express design of gaining a 
respite from his convictions, took great pains to devote 
one day to the kind of company before named. Fri- 
day night he dismissed his school. Having engaged 
to accompany him a neighbor who, upon every con- 
venient opportunity, was accustomed to become intox- 
icated, he went on Saturday morning to Portland, a 
few miles distant. There they met a large company 
of glee companions. They all gave themselves up to 
bacchanalian revelry. Of this company Mr. Phinney 
was leader and life. Calling himself Paul, Junior, 
he delivered mock sermons, and engaged in mock the- 
ological debates with some of those who so much dis- 
grace the cause of Christ, known as backsliders. On 
their way home that evening his drunken associate 



20 THE LIFE OF 

was converted into a real preacher. " Clement," said 
be, ** your wickedness to-day has fairly frightened me/* 
This remark carried to the heart of his hearer con- 
Ticfeion, no less pungent than that experienced by 
John Bunyan, when a wicked woman said to him, that 
he ** was the ungodliest fellow for swearing that she 
ever heard in all her life." " That day," to use Mr. 
Phinney's own words, " was the worst of my life. I 
can scarcely recur to it without a shudder.' ' 

Having spent most of two nights and the inter- 
vening Sabbath in great distress of mind, he was on 
his way Monday morning to his school. While pass- 
ing through a woody vale that seemed to his excited 
imagination a chosen place for Divine manifestations, 
he hears a voice which, though deep in the recesses 
of his own heart, seems to him to come from above. 
" Whither," cried the voice of the Eternal, " whith- 
er, O young man, art thou bound ?" " To destruc- 
tion," he involuntarily responds. *' Why press on 
to that destiny," said the voice, " why not turn and 
live ?" « Lord help," said he, " and I will." 

He still procrastinated and still suffered. How the 
day passed he cannot remember. But he well re- 
members that a release from cares and the solemn 
hours of night brought him to a full consciousness of 
his wretched condition. 

At the close of this term he accepted an invitation 
to take charge of a school at Standish Neck, within 
himself again resolving, when separated from hig 
wicked associates, to pay his vows. He prepareoi 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 21 

himself thus to learn by bitter experience that truth 
of the Bible, so hard for us all to learn, " Behold, 
now is the day of salvation." 

" It is a poor relief we gain 
To change the place but not the pain." 

By contract he was to board in the family of John 
Plaisted. He wished to board in that quiet Christian 
family the better to carry into effect his resolutions. 
When he arrived he found that his evil fame had pre- 
ceded him. Mrs. P. consented to take him into the 
family only till other arrangements could be made. 

He commenced his school, and in a few days his pu- 
pils, as usual, became warmly attached to him. Among 
them was an adopted son of his hostess. The time 
came for the change. The son plead with the mother in 
his teacher's behalf. The teacher determined to stand 
upon the contract or leave the school. All the children 
of the district declared for their teacher, and Mrs. P. 
herself had seen nothing out of the way in her boarder. 
It is scarcely necessary to add that, as in most cases, the 
children carried the day, and the school continued. 

Sometimes Mr. Phinney strove to derive from 
conversation with Mrs. P., some light concerning the 
way of life. She mistrusts in him only a desire to 
play the sanctimonious part for his own amusementj 
and, therefore, afforded him very little instruction, 
For the same purpose he attended prayer meetings, 
but with like success. He was regarded as one who 
came in merely to spy out the liberty of Christians, 
and, therefore, they took the precaution to change 
meetings appointed for vocal prayer into those of the 



22 THE LIFE OF 

most approved Quaker style. The faith of such 
Christians never removes mountains. 

In the same town, though a few miles distant, re- 
sided Sargeant Shaw, a Christian to whom living and 
walking " in the Spirit," imported something more 
than attention to forms and dogmas. He believed 
the Holy Spirit prompted him to visit Mr. Phinney 
for religious conversation. He obeyed the inward 
call, notwithstanding some of his friends urged him 
not to expose himself to the ridicule of " the wicked 
teacher." He arrived at Mr. Plaisted's a little before 
the teacher was expected to return. As soon as he 
heard him he hastened to meet him. " Mr. Phin- 
ney," said he, " I have come to converse with you 
on the subject of religion." " I am glad to see you 
on that errand," said Mr. Phinney, adding, " I greatly 
feel the need of religion." He related in full to Mr. 
Shaw his trials of mind. 

This visit gave great strength to the Christian, and 
to the seeker a determination never to yield till he 
should experience the pardoning mercy of Christ. 
Should we always be as prompt to obey the Spirit's 
call as was Mr. Shaw, how often might we act the part 
of an Ananias to some groping Paul. Though God 
speaks from the sky to awaken in the human heart 
a deep yearning for salvation, he leaves it to his writ- 
ten word and to Christians to give specific directions. 

The next Saturday after this visit, while Mr. Phin- 
ney was on his way to Gorham to spend the Sabbath 
with his family, he was overtaken by one of his com- 
panions. " Clementj" said he, " what makes you look 



CLEMENT PHINNEY 



23 



SO solemn?" The unhesitating reply was, "I am 
seeking God." To his family's inquiries he made 
similar reply. Sabbath evening while at singing 
school, (for he was accustomed to teach such,) a very • 
profane man, during an intermission, roughly address- 
ed him as to his seriousness, but the candid reply soon 
checked the spirit of ridicule. Here is one whose 
soul is in earnest ; he cares not how many or who 
know that he is seeking for redemption through 
Christ. Many a one brought near to the kingdom of 
heaven loses his soul, for want of resolution to face 
the sneer of some worthless associate. 

May [1806] had made the earth glad and gay be- 
fore he entered upon the last week of his term ; but 
still there was yet no joy in his heart. He felt, as he 
remarked this week to one of his pupils, that he was 
«a poor lost sinner." But to his sad heart joy was 
approaching. He had lost all dependence upon him- 
self He was wholly intent upon mercy through 
Christ. Slumber had forsaken his eyelids. As at the 
midnight hour he wrestled in prayer the burden of his 
guilt passed away. A glorious light burst upon his 
soul and filled it with a divine ecstacy. He waited not 
till morning to communicate the glad intelligence to 
the Christian family in which he was boarding. To- 
gether, till break of day, they praised and prayed. 

This morning, as he passed along the shores of a 
beautiful lake to a grove where, in his darkness, he 
had often prayed and wept bitter tears of repentance, 
it seemed to him that literally "old things" had pass- 
ed away, and all things become "new." All things 



14 THE LIFE OP 

seemed to partake of his own joy. The bright wa- 
ters wear a new smile ; the birds have new songs ; 
the groves are filled with the presence of a life-giving 
Deity. 

In a day or two he entered his school for the last 
time. He felt much more like praying with his pu- 
pils, and exhorting them to flee to Christ, than attend- 
ing to his ordinary duties. He commenced his ac- 
customed routine, but soon the scene was changed. 
One of the pupils while reading began to shed tears 
at the thought of parting so soon with her teacher. 
Many from kindred feelings soon imitated her. The 
teacher found himself unable to restrain his tears. 
He spent the remaining hour in accordance with his 
own feelings. " Though more than forty years have 
passed," said one of those pupils the other day, " I 
have not forgotten that scene. I never shall. We 
all wept." Years afterward Mr. Phinney had the 
privilege of reaping fruit of that day's sowing. 

Dear reader, you have seen in this case the sinner 
strive to sear his conscience by plunging deeper and 
deeper into sin. But such is the nature of the soul 
of man, that it can never be at rest till reconciled to 
God. In -a state of alienation it has tribulation, but 
in Christ it has peace. May that peace be yours, 
evermore. 



:iifkri-i 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 25 



CHAPTER II. 

TROM HIS CONVERSION TO HIS UNION WITH THE CHL'RCH. 

Upon Mr. Phinney's return from Standish, the 
news of his conversion soon spread among his neigh- 
bors, and furnished them with a theme for not a little 
conversation. Many of his former associates took 
early occasion to call upon him, that they might con- 
Terse with one after his conversion, who before, had 
80 often made them merry by his witticisms in regard 
to religion ; and, when they found him who once " had 
the legion, in his right mind," they were not a little 
astonished. When they left, instead of the idle curi- 
osity which had prompted their calls, a wholesome 
conviction of their need of a similar change, had 
possession of their minds; and one of the number 
»oon submitted to God. 

Though for no good reason he delayed joining the 
church, he exercised his influence in awakening the 
consciences of others, and his own soul made rapid 
advancement in the new life. But he could not long 
remain in this condition in safety ; for soon he began 
to feel the need of sympathy and encouragement from 
others, both for his own progress, and for his highest 
usefulness toward others. On the other hand he be- 
gan to fear, that if he should join the church, and be 
faithful to the grace already operating in his heart, 
he would be called to a life more public than he de- 
sired. Here he faltered. His zeal departed. He 



26 



THE LIFE OP 



wounded his conscience. He could no longer be at 
peace among Christians. He forsook the house of 
God, and the cares of this world choked the germ 
that had begun to unfold itself in his inner life. This 
plant will not endure neglect. It seems not to be in- 
digenous to the human heart. It seems rather to be 
an exotic that requires careful culture. It must strike 
its roots into the soil of a soul wholly submissive to 
the Divine will, and supported, under ordinary cir- 
cumstances, by the sympathies arising from "broth- 
erly love." In such a soil it rapidly absorbs all the 
energies, till every plant not of heavenly planting is 
rooted out. 

^ Step by step Mr. Phinney departed till he was en- 
tirely conformed to the world. He was however 
more unhappy than before his conversion. In the 
year 1809, some three years after his conversion, 
there was a revival that extended its influence over 
a considerable part of AYestern Maine. Under the 
labors of Elders Z. Leach and Samuel Hutchinson, it 
visited Fort Hill, to which part of Gorham Mr. 
Phinney had' moved soon after his conversion. Dur- 
ing this series of meetings he, by public confession of 
his sins, returned to his " Father's house." From that 
time to the present he has led a very faithful Chris- 
tian life ; enjoying almost without interruption, a 
high degree of communion with God, and, as we 
shall see, he has been, as a consequence, a great bless- 
ing to the church ; and eternity itself can only unfold 
the amount of good the Savior has wrought through 
mm. 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 27 

During the same revival were converted five young 
men who became ministers, viz., Joseph White, Zach- 
ariah Jordan, David Sweat, Allen Files and Sargeant 
Shaw, son of the Christian so instrumental in Mr. 
Phinney's conversion. Of these, one only, Joseph 
White, has been called to his reward ; and it is grati- 
fying to be able to state, that an account of his life 
will soon be given to the denomination to which he 
was both a great blessing and high honor. 

After alluding to those above named, it is painful 
to state in contrast, that many, who at the same time 
and place professedly passed from death unto life, 
have given us good reason to fear, if we judge them 
" by their fruits," that the Savior will say to them in 
the great trial-day, " Depart from me, ye that work 
iniquity." This revival in the vicinity of Gorham 
commenced in the following manner : At one of the 
accustomed weekly prayer meetings, quite a young 
lady began to pray for the conversion of sinners. 
She became quite enthusiastic, and at length exhaust- 
ing her strength to a great degree, she fell prostrate 
upon the floor in what they called a " swooning fit." 
Thereupon considerable excitement arose, and soon 
other similar cases occurred. Not many weeks pass- 
ed until it was regarded as a great virtue to feel so 
much for souls, as they called it, as to induce this 
" swooning." Whenever religion is made to consist 
in any thing but real submission to the will of God — 
in any thing but genuine goodness — there religion 
will have an abundance of votaries. So in this case. 
Not only did nervous young ladies become subjects of 



28 THE LIFE OF 

this folly, but even many able-bodied men. Personi 
seeking this " experience," would arise in prayer meet- 
ings and begin at first, perhaps, quite calmly to ex- 
hort; soon, however, by self-moved efforts on their 
own part, and sympathetic efforts on the part of oth- 
ers, they would become more and more excited, till 
at last, whirling round and round, they would fall 
prostrate in " a swoon." 

Looking back from this date, it seems to us strange 
that any but natural enthusiasts should have enter- 
tained toward this proceeding any other feeling than^ 
regret or disgust ; but we are assured by one who has 
been through a long life, marked for his discretion, 
not to say too much caution, that he even reproached 
himself because he could not be among those favored 
by such deep feeling for the conversion of others. 
He even prayed and struggled for this blessing, as 
he then deemed it. At length one evening, while in 
meeting sighing for it, he began to feel " the spell 
coming over him." To that point did he go, that he 
felt certain, by yielding to his feelings, he could expe- 
rience that for which he had been seeking. But at 
once, like any honest man who is sufficiently on his 
guard against self-deception, he aroused himself. " The 
influence," to use the language of mesmerizers, soon 
passed away, and he bitterly reproached himself for 
his folly. Thereafter he failed not to bear his testi- 
mony against it as a delusion. 

This "swooning" did not accompany this great 
revival in all the towns ; and it is a fact worth re- 
membering, that wherever it did appear, there great 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 29 

declension soon followed ; while in other places the 
converts as a general thing remained steadfast. In 
Gorham, Standish and Raymond, for instance, where 
this feature was very prominent, such sad declension 
followed, that in less than a year many of the con- 
verts, as they were called, were in a condition far 
more hopeless than before conversion ; while in New 
Gloucester, Gray and other towns where this element 
was absent, the converts have proved by useful lives 
the reality of their conversion. 

These facts have not been given on the authority 
of one. The two ministers upon whose authority 
these statements have been made unite also in saying, 
that they cannot call to mind a single individual sub- 
ject to this " swooning," who has proved, by a faithful 
life, the genuineness of his conversion. In a town 
some miles distant, some preachers went so far in 
this delusion that they absolutely demanded it of their 
converts ; and, if at any time, they feared that " the 
burden" was too great for any under this influence, 
they directed others to relieve them by taking it them- 
selves, which they accomplished by taking those to be 
relieved by the hand. 

This " swooning" appeared from time to time for 
years in that vicinity ; and indeed it is not yet wholly 
gone, as within a year a few cases have occurred. 

One circumstance that greatly facilitated the spread 
of this delusion, ought not to be passed over in silence. 
The young converts were regarded as peculiarly holy, 
and suffered to give mold and character to the meet- 
ings ; while Christians who had, by years of faithful- 



30 THE LIFE OP 

ness, shown that they were living for God, were set 
aside as of little or no importance. This mistake, to 
call it by no harsher name, soon brought, as we have 
seen, no small calamity. 

All fanaticism produces sooner or later infidelity ; 
and never have the friends of true religion more 
cause for sadness, than when her garb is assumed by 
such a delusion as we have described. But as it will 
be our painful duty, before closing this volume, to 
notice another similar delusion, we postpone such re- 
flections as we wish to make upon this subject to a 
future chapter. 

To return. Mr. Phinney, after this revival, soon 
found a field of usefulness open before him. One 
day while engaged in his labor he felt impressed with 
the importance of having a prayer meeting in that 
part- of the t^wn where he resided. He says, he 
" conferred not with flesh and blood," but started im- 
mediately to Mr. Baker's, one of his neighbors, to ask 
the privilege of appointing a prayer meeting at his 
house. Perpiission being given, the appointment was 
made. Some curiosity was excited to see how the 
prayer meeting was to be managed, as no minister 
was to be present. When the evening for the meet- 
ing came, Mr. Phinney found the room full, but Mr. 
Baker was absent praying in secret, as was after- 
wards ascertained, for the rash man who was to un- 
dertake, without any help from a minister, to conduct 
a prayer meeting. When Mr. Baker returned, he not 
only found his house full, but six of his unconverted 
neighbors were on their knees begging for God's 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 31 

mercy. With such power was the Spirit present in 
that meeting, that no less than jfive or six dated their 
conversion from it. Among these was Mrs. Phinney, 
who was immediately baptized and added to the church, 
even before her husband. Mr. Phinney was making 
another attempt to live without joining the church. 
He at length became convinced that he would again 
backslide, should he continue the experiment longer. 
After various doubts and trials on the subject of his 
duty as to baptism, he became settled in his course. 
Some three or four years after his conversion, he was 
baptized by Elder Samuel Hutchinson, whereupon 
he joined the church. Thus at rest in his mind, we 
shall see that important fields of usefulness opened 
before him. 

It will gratify the reader that we are able to give 
the closing incident of this chapter in his own words, 
communicated to us in a letter some time last year. 
We will only remark, that the Catechism it contains 
is much more efficient for enhancing that religion 
which is to be judged by its " fruits," than all the 
dogmatical or sectarian creeds ever proclaimed by 
far-famed councils. 

" It was, I think," says he, " sometime in 1810 — 11, 
I was instructing a school in Gorham. One day 
when I started to my school, I was intending to get 
a stick on my way to chastise certain insubordinate 
scholars. While thinking of the discipline of my 
school, the following questions were presented to my 
mind ; 



32 THE LIFE OP 

Are you not a scholar ? Yes. Who is your Mas- 
ter ? Jesus. Do you obey him as well as your pu- 
pils do you ? No. Are you not a fallible teacher ? 
Yes. But is not your teacher a perfect one ? He is. 

With these thoughts I began, in my mind, to invite 
the world to come and go to school with me. I for- 
got my stick, and when I arrived at the school-room, 
instead of punishing my scholars, I sung them the 
invitation to my Master's school, composed on the way. 

THE HEAVENLY SCHOOL MASTER. 

Come, come, my friends, where'er you be, 
Come — will you go to school with me ? 
Christ Jesus is my Master's name, 
Come deaf and dumb, come blind and lame. 
So heart and hand to heaven we'll go, 
Glory to God who reigns on high. 

. My Master makes the blind to see, 
Then come, ye blind, the school is free ; 
My Master makes the lame to walk, — 
He can teach the dumb to talk. 
So heart and hand, &c. 

He, too, can teach the deaf to hear, 
Then, come, ye deaf and lend an ear 
Unto my Master's pleasant voice ; 
He'll make your mourning souls rejoice. 
So heart and hand, &c. 

He'll teach the swearing man to pray. 
Come, ye profane, without delay ; 
He'll change your tongues to praise his nam«, 
And spread abroad the Master's fame. 
So heart and hand, &c. 



CLEMENT PHINNET. tZ 

His school-books are the Scriptures true, 
His lessons are forever new, 
His scholars nothing shall impede, — 
It is a blessed school indeed. 
So heart and hand, &c. 

Come, brethren, dear, who are at school, 
I pray attend to every rule ; 
'Tis best for all *' to mind their books," 
Who have all sinful ways forsook. 
So heart and hand, &c. 

When these frail tenements must die, 
Then we shall lay our school-books by, 
We'll reign with Master Jesus then, 
Glory to God, glory ! Amen. 
3 



34 THE LIFE OP 



CHAPTER III. 

FROM THE TIME OF HIS ADMISSION TO THE CHURCH TO HIS 
FIRST TOUR AS AN EVANGELIST. 

After Mr. Phinney joined the church, his life was 
an epistle known and read of all, as that of the faithful, 
consistent Christian. Many, as soon as received to 
the church, seem to settle down in a life of indiffer- 
ence and selfishness, as though saying to themselves, 
*' Now that we are saved we have no more to do." — 
Not so with Mr. Phinney. He always seemed to be 
on the alert to turn every opportunity to good account 
in his Master's service. Often did he hold prayer 
meetings, which, like that noticed in the previous 
chapter, resulted in the conversion of sinners. He 
always seemed to have a word of encouragement for 
his fellow Christian, and a heart yearning for the 
salvation of sinners. In protracted meetings he soon 
became a very efficient laborer, both by reason of his 
singing and his unction in prayer and exhortation. 
At the earnest solicitations of ministers, he sometimes 
accompanied them to neighboring towns to assist in 
these meetings. Before him the field of usefulness 
and influence constantly enlarged, as indeed it does 
before every faithful Christian. To every true child 
of God the Savior says, " As my Father hath sent me, 
even so send I you ;" and every such one, whatever 
may be his calling, has, in reality, nothing to attend to 
but his heavenly mission. 



MUOiMtfelMMMilkM 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 35 

In 1812, he moved from his native town with the 
design of residing in the town of Phillips, in another 
part of Maine, some seventy-five miles distant. But, 
as the part of the town in which he designed to make 
his home was very newly settled, he took his fam- 
ily to Farmington, one of the neighboring towns, till 
he could prepare for their reception. Unexpectedly, 
however, he spent two winters at F. in teaching. 
During the second winter he was permitted to see a 
great revival, which owed its origin, in great part, no 
doubt, to his prayers. 

As many of his pupils were young gentlemen and 
young ladies, and almost every one impenitent, his 
heart was pained from day to day as he saw them 
heedlessly pressing their way to ruin. He carried 
the burden of his heart to the Lord in prayer. Soon 
he was permitted to see the work of the Lord begin 
among his pupils, and spread among others till there 
was gathered in a great harvest of souls. 

One evening four of his pupils, young ladies, paid 
him a visit at his house. After a few minutes had 
passed he turned the conversation, with a facility 
almost his own, to religious subjects. His sprightly 
visitors soon found themselves conversing with great 
ease, upon topics concerning which they had been 
scarcely able hitherto to frame a sentence. They 
conversed freely with their teacher of their own 
mental states, which they had before held as a pro- 
found secret. When he affectionately urged upon 
them their duty immediately to seek the Savior, he 
only gave utterance to their own convictions. After 



aB£ili^..-^..i. .J^^— ■■ ..,..■. ■ >;l.' ^^^^ 



iPBWBWfWi^^^ 



SG THE LIFE OF 

he had offered an ardent petition at the throne of 
grace in their behalf, they, upon knees that had never 
Before bowed in prayer, besought mercy for them- 
selves. 

Next morning, though no report of what had oc- 
curred at the teacher's house had reached the school, 
it seemed at least to Mr. Phinney, to be unusually 
solemn. One of the young ladies above noticed, ap- 
peared so different from what she was accustomed to, 
that one of her companions at noon inquired for the 
cause. The prompt reply to her inquiring friend 
was, " I have been praying to the Savior to pardon 
my sins, and my mind has been filled with peace." 
This circumstance was soon understood by all the 
tchool, and added much to its solemnity. 

Another young lady was so deeply impressed with 
the importance of religion, that she went home weep- 
ing for her sins. Her father, a Universalist, sarcas- 
tically said to her, " Have you been whipped to-day, 
my daughter?" "I am a poor lost sinner," said she; 
" I must perish unless forgiven through Christ." The 
father replied, " I expected just such work when 
Phinney was employed ; I'll see to this matter." 
Giving vent to his passion in profane oaths, he left 
the house, as if about to seek and annihilate the pray- 
ing teacher. Before he could reach the teacher's 
residence his passion, despite all his efforts to nurse 
it, partly subsided. On the other hand, the teacher, all 
unconscious of his danger, received his neighbor with 
his usual good humor. By this time his wrathful neigh- 
bor had not the courage to make known his errand. 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 87 

Soon, Mr. Phinney, with the facility before noticed, 
gave a religious turn to the conversation. He pro» 
ceeded to narrate his own experience ; his former 
unsatisfied longings for bliss; his vain search for 
it in pleasure and worldly good ; his vain attempts 
to hush the voice of his conscience ; his resort at last 
to Christ ; the manner in which the Savior had dried 
up the fountains of wretchedness within him, and 
filled his soul with a Divine peace. With a part of 
this experience the unhappy hearer had formed a bit» 
ter acquaintance ; for the other he had sighed in vain ; 
so that Mr. Phinney's exhortation failed not to reach 
his heart. During the night he told his wife that Mr. 
Phinney had laid bare his heart ; that ho could not 
live ; but " if I do not die," he added, " do not tell 
any body what I say." 

The wife, who was a Christian, feared not her hus- 
band's immediate death ; nor could she hardly hope 
for his conversion ; he wanted the Christian's comfort 
without the Christian's character. 

The next day he revealed to one of his neighbors 
the very things which he had desired should be kept 
in such sacred confidence. Better still, twenty-four 
hours from the time he went to pour out his wrath 
upon the innocent teacher, he was in the prayer meet- 
ing, confessing his sins ; and only a day or two later, 
he was heard in a similar meeting, praising God, and 
exhorting his associates to flee to Christ. His heart 
rejoicing in the Savior*s salvation, his head was soon 
freed from the errors of Universalism. 

This proved the beginning of better days in Farm« 



38 THE LIFE OF 

ington. Others besides the one noticed, who, at the 
time the revival begun, exercised the spirit of perse- 
cution, were converted before it closed. Many of 
Mr. Phinney's pupils were among the converts. This 
work resulted in the organization of a church at F. 
under the direction of Elder Samuel Hutchins. 

How happy would it be for us all as Christians, if 
from day to day we enjoyed such a fulness of Christ's 
precious love, as to be able spontaneously to improve 
every opportunity to awaken in the hearts of the im- 
penitent a sense of their spiritual necessities, and of 
the Savior's ability and willingness to meet every 
want ! God could then consistently make us the hon- 
ored, instruments of leading many precious souls to 
His Beloved Son. Most efficiently, too, should we 
then contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. 
There are, doubtless, other methods of overcoming 
heresies, but surely no other is so successful as this. 
The adversary would always expect us to be engaged 
in tearing down his kingdom; nor would he be disap* 
pointed. 

In 1814, after this revival closed, Mr. Phinney ful- 
filled his intention of making his home in Phillips, in 
which place we shall see the Lord had a precious 
work for him to accomplish. "Wherever the true 
Christian is, whether in the forest or temple, if he 
will, he may be engaged in his heavenly Father's 
business. 

The part of Phillips in which Mr. Phinney resided 
was, as before noticed, very new. There had been 
no religious meetings held for a long time. The Sab- 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 89 

bath was almost unknown. The day which others 
observed as such, was there devoted to the ordinary 
occupations of the week, save that here and there one 
seemed, by his hunting and fishing, to remember that 
the Sabbath had come. But into the midst of the 
dwellers there God had sent one by whom he was 
soon to confer upon them not only the observance of 
the external Sabbath, but that divine communion also, 
which is the earnest of the " nobler rest above." 

This servant of God found, like one of old, that 
his spirit could have no rest, being vexed from day 
to day by the conversation of the wicked — he could 
have no rest at all events, till he made efforts for their 
reformation. As at Farmington, so now, he carried 
his burdened heart to God in prayer, only with greater 
importunity. At length he appointed a prayer meet- 
ing at the house of one of his neighbor's. For a while 
only two or three attended ; still he persevered. 

It seems that his neighbors stayed away from these 
meetings by concert, in order to discourage this attempt 
to establish the worship of God in their midst. How 
the human mind, in a state of disobedience, dreads 
the light of truth. Finding this effort fail, they at- 
tempted to break up the meetings in the following 
manner: As hitherto they stayed away by concert, 
so now they all attended with one accord. Ladies and 
gentlemen with one consent kept up their vain con- 
versation and mirth till the time appointed for prayer, 
with the design of inducing their Christian neighbor 
to give up his prayer meeting, and to join them in 
their visit. To add to his embarrassment, the ladies 



^ THE LIFE OF 

seemed determined not to desist from their industry 
at sewing and knitting. Little did they understand 
the spirit that they had to deal with. Despite every 
hinderance, falling upon his knees in their midst, he 
began to pray. Such was his unction in prayer, and 
such the point and power of his address following 
prayer, and, most of all, such the depth and earnest- 
ness of his emotions as indicated in song, that the spirit 
of levity and opposition not only was banished, but 
very solemn impressions were made upon all present. 
Before the meeting closed, not only did some for the 
first time confess their sins, but comparatively a large 
share of them, to the astonishment of Mr. Phinney 
and each other, confessed that they were wandering 
prodigals. 

The following incident heightened the interest of 
the meeting : During the day, Mr. H., confessedly a 
backslider, spent his time in business with Mr. Phin- 
ney. Toward evening the latter remarking that it 
was about time to prepare for prayer meeting, invited 
his neighbor to attend ; but he declined, assigning as 
a reason that if he should attend, he should lose his 
disposition to go to law with his neighbor H., with 
whom he had a quarrel. In thus assigning in words 
such a reason, he became too distinctly conscious of 
his rebellion to God to remain at peace. He admit- 
ted too much light into the dark prison house of sin 
in which he was trying to incarcerate his soul forever. 
He could no longer hush her complaining notes. At 
a late hour, as if despite his efforts to the contrary, 
he made his way to the meeting. He arrived just in 



ti^iiuimaimaiiltmm 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 41 

time to hear another prodigal confess his wickedness 
and degradation in consequence of departing from his 
Father's house. This was too much ; he could no 
longer keep silence. With tears he confessed his 
sins, spoke of his former happiness as a Christian, 
and concluded by relating the manner in which God 
had employed the wicked excuse assigned to Mr. 
Phinney as the means of rebuking his sins. It is 
scarcely necessary to add that, in this case, the lawyer 
lost his fees. 

These meetings were held from time to time with 
such good results, that the community, instead of 
spending Sabbaths like heathen, soon assumed the 
Christian character. Those who abide in Christ, and 
Christ's words in them, however humble their sphere, 
become the means of conferring unbounded blessings 
upon others. " The wilderness and solitary place 
shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice 
and blossom as the rose." 

Though Mr. Phinney had most of his neighbors 
now to rejoice with him in the mercy of God to sin- 
ners though Christ, his heart was not satisfied with 
the remembrance of past service. The same spirit 
that induced him to labor in Christ's cause at home, 
led him to establish prayer meetings in adjoining 
places, many of which were destitute of any public 
means of grace. In these meetings his labors, like 
those at home, were blessed. In these meetings, be- 
sides prayer and singing, by the latter of which, 
many no doubt were induced to attend meeting, who 
otherwise had spent their Sabbaths in hunting, he 



Uiiliai&ttiiiiJliklMiiitaMMAii 



" ■-—- -^ • - ■ " -.-■■■.^-.-■. 



42 THE LIFE OP 

often spoke to considerable length on subjects sug- 
gested by passages of Scripture. 

But as much as he delighted in these labors, and 
as much as the Spirit seemed to render his efforts in- 
strumental in the conversion of souls, he had not yet 
determined to give himself up to the ministry. He 
was often impressed with a sense of duty so to do ; 
but so keenly did he feel his want of scholastic ad- 
vantages, that he could but hesitate. Still, as our 
old preachers were accustomed to say, with a meaning 
which too few now appreciate, he felt " the wo" rest- 
ing upon him unless he should devote his life to 
preaching the gospel. Before this, he had passed, 
as we have seen, through very severe mental strug- 
gles, still, they seemed now to him as nothing, as 
compared with those pressing upon him in regard to 
his future sphere of labor. His family, owing to the 
amount of time he had already bestowed upon oth- 
ers, and losses from poor crops, and the dishonesty of 
land agents, was in a sad plight to be left without the 
means afforded by his daily toil. His wife at this 
time, moreover, found it difficult to consent to give up 
her husband. But his chief trial was to obtain his 
own consent. 

Under various influences, he was thus kept month 
after month, in a state of indecision. Sometimes 
almost consenting in his own mind to yield to what 
impressed itself upon him as a divine call to a sacred 
work, he would devote himself with redoubled exer- 
tions to leave his family in comfortable circumstances; 
then he would try to cast off his impressions, as being 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 43 

temptations from the adversary. As in most cases of 
indecision, calamity succeeded calamity. Every day 
he found it more difficult to leave his family than the 
day before. The world seemed to be nothing but 
gloom. By his hesitation and want of exercising 
sufficient faith in God, he lost for a season his own 
spiritual comfort. 

At length he found grace to cast all his burdens 
upon the Lord, resolving, at all events, to obey what 
seemed to him the highest call. As to the present, 
he determined upon making a visit to Westport and 
Georgetown.* He had long felt deeply impressed 
with a sense of duty to proclaim there the blessed 
gospel. When thus fully decided, his peace return- 
ed, even to an unaccustomed degree. His wife, also, 
becoming convinced that he was called of God to 
warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come, cheered 
him in these trying hours. 

The following extract of a letter not long since 
written concerning his state of mind at the time of 
which we have been speaking, cannot fail to interest 
the reader : 

" I was," says he, " one evening sitting with my 
family, feeling under the most solemn impressions in 
reference to leaving my family, and itinerating, when 
the following words were suggested to my mind. So 
was the tune in which I sang them. Before retiring, 
I committed the words to writing ; 



* These places, in the Life of Randall, are called respectively, 
Squair. Island, and Parker's Island. 



44 THE LIFE OP 

THE PREACHER'S CALL. 
(composed 1815.) 

The blessed Jesus, lovely Savior, 

He has called on me to go ; 
In the vineyard I must labor, 

Or on me must come " the v«ro." 
Farewell, dear wife and little children, 

The Gospel Trumpet I must blow, 
And sound salvation to poor sinners, 

For the word to me is " Go." 

O, hark, poor sinners, will you hear me? 

O, come, dear sinners, now repent, 
For the blessed Savior calls you, 

'Tis by Him to you I'm sent ; 
. O, come, poor sinners, be entreated ! 

Say, will you have my Christ, or no ! 
To you my errand is directed, 

And still, the word to me is *' Go." 

O, come, backsliders, who have wandered. 

Come home, come home, to Father's house ; 
Come home, come home, you wandering children, 

Come home, come home, and pay your vows. 
The blessed Savior now invites you. 

All things are ready now I know, 
And the fatted calf is killed. 

And still the word to me is " Go." 

Ye little lambs of my Redeemer, 

Ye who feed in pastures green. 
Follow, follow Christ your Savior, 

Ever in his light be seen ; 
Ever mind and love each other. 

And shun the paths that lead to wo, 
And travel on the way together ; 

So farewell, brethren, I must " Go." " 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 46 



CHAPTER IV. 

HIS FIRST TOUR AS AN EVANGELIST. 

Being now satisfied as to duty, Mr. Phinney left 
home to preach the gospel in the islands named in 
our last chapter. To ■preach, we say, if it be lawful 
to intimate that one may possibly be a preacher who 
has received neither a human license nor a human 
ordination : who, perhaps, has neither heard of " Apos- 
tolic Succession," nor been graduated at any Cam- 
bridge or Oxford. He of whom we speak, had at 
this time, none of the qualifications these confer. 
The call of a world perishing in sin, was his only 
license ; and the promptings of his own regenerate 
heart, his only ordination ; the Holy Spirit, sending 
life-currents through his heart, was to him in place of 
priestly benedictions ; and a familiarity with God*8 
Word, acquired by the daily study of King James's 
translation, in place of Ancient Classics. Of educa- 
tion, in the common acceptation, he possessed only 
that modicum which, by revealing deficiencies, ban- 
ishes the courage, or rather rashness, of ignorance, 
and confers a becoming modesty. 

By necessity, not by choice, when he set out on 
this Quixotic expedition, as to many it well may 
seem, he almost literally kept the injunction given to 
others, to take "no money in their purse." He rode 
no famous Rosinante, so romantic as to half partake 
his master's zeal in fasting and enduring hardships to 



46 THE LIFE OP 

accomplish some great purpose, but simply an honest 
team horse, that must have his daily allowance of rest 
and provender. It happened well, as we say, there- 
fore, that our traveller the first night reached the 
abode of an old friend, who kindly provided for him- 
self and horse, without an eye to " filthy lucre." He 
well might go on his way next morning rejoicing. 
Nor could it have been less grateful to his feelings to 
meet, soon after parting, with his worthy friend, a 
Christian brother, who, upon learning his object and 
destination, furnished him with the few shillings his 
own scanty purse would afford. 

But this day was still destined to have its trials. 
By passing ferries and otherwise, he found his money 
so reduced at night, that he felt himself compelled to 
ask a charity at a private residence. He was, with- 
out hesitation, refused the hospitality which most New 
Englanders are happy to exercise. " As I left that 
house," says he, " my heart almost sank within me ; 
but, said I to mj'-self, my name is Phinney. I have 
put my hand to the plough, and will not look back ; — 
I'll never surrender." 

This repulse was of great service to him, as it 
taught him the important lesson, that whoever is in 
need of charity must be careful not to reveal his 
necessity. Though since that time he has been com- 
pelled to ask favors, he at the same time has it under- 
stood that it is not, so to say, a case of "life and 
death" with him. 

Soon arriving at a hotel, he made himself at home, 
calling for whatever he wanted, as though possessed 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 47 

of a large fortune. He determined, if necessary, in 
\the morning to give his horse for the bill — at all 
events so to manage as not to crush his spirit by his 
feelings of absolute dependence upon the mercy of 
others. 

"Soon after tea," says he, "a company entered 
the hotel to drink, and swear, and gamble. The spirit 
of a sing came upon me. I sang the * Preacher's 
Call.' One by one, being convicted in their conscien- 
ces, they went out." 

Whatever was the effect of the singing upon the 
company, among whom was he who, a little before, 
had so coldly repulsed him from his house, it prepared 
the landlord and his wife to confess to him, that though 
professors of religion, they were far from leading 
Christian lives. In the morning they not only dis- 
missed him free of any charge, but they urged him 
to call upon them upon his return. 

The next night he arrived at the residence of Mrs. 
Mary Card. This lady, though blind from her birth, 
was endowed by nature with great intellectual pow- 
ers, and by grace with spiritual gifts so rich, that in 
absence of the minister, she was esteemed leader of 
the church in the town of Woolwich, where she re- 
sided. Of her, Mr. Phinney says : "her better never 
lived on earth ; not even Anna, who lingered at the 
Temple, was dearer to Christ. Having received her 
blessing and the promise of her prayers, I felt hap- 
pier than if the favor of princes had been bestowed 
upon me." 

He had now nearly reached his destination. The 



48 THE LIFE OP 

next morning, when he arrived at the ferry, beyond 
which lies Squam Island, though the waves ran high, 
he hailed the ferry-man, and insisted upon being set 
over. Though that boat carried no Caesar and his 
fortune, our humble traveller felt it was none the less 
protected by Him in whose hand is the ocean, and 
whose will the winds of heaven obey. 

The inhabitants of these islands were plain, indus- 
trious fishermen. Kind and generous, their hearts 
were easy of access to those of kindred spirit. Now 
let us suppose that instead of our frank and generous 
mechanic, a graduate from some Theological Sem- 
inary is about to make his first attempt at preaching, 
and that, too, among these fishermen. Our graduate 
for several years has been to a great extent excluded 
from the converse of plain laboring men. For three 
at lerast, he hac-been upon the Procrustean bed-stead ; 
he has been stretched where it was necessary ; ha3 
been cut off according to exact measure; his memory 
is well stored with dogmas ; his metaphysical pow- 
ers so trained that, like Butler's hero, 

" He can distinguish and divide 
A hair, 'twixt south and south-west side." 

Now even if his heart is warm, his modes of thought, 
and his method of speech are nevertheless such as to 
separate him so far from the hearts of this people, 
that weary months and perhaps years must pass, be- 
fore one sinner will, under his preaching, be convicted 
of sin against God, — before one will be led to the 
kingdom of Christ. 



CLEMENT PHINNET. . 49 

On the other hand, Mr. Phinney has none of the 
advantages conferred by the schools. But his lan- 
guage, though comparatively good, is such as the peo- 
ple are accustomed to every day ; his modes of 
thought are like theirs ; such too are his methods of 
manifesting his emotions, that he gains a ready access 
to their hearts ; they easily believe that his heart is 
rejoicing in the salvation of Christ; that his soul 
yearns for their salvation, and that God has sent him 
on an errand of mercy to them ; and, as he is really 
baptized into the spirit of that very mission, he easily 
wins them to Christ. 

No sooner did he touch the shore of the island, 
than he began to announce his message by singing 
the "Preacher's Call" to such as stood upon the 
beach, trembling for his safety ; and, as his mellow 
notes, indicative of a heart more mellow, rose above 
the voice of the surging waters, the generous island- 
ers pressed around him ; they greeted him ; they wel- 
comed him to their homes and their hearts. They 
all entered the house nearest at hand, and immedi- 
ately held a prayer meeting. Many were at once 
deeply impressed ; and, before closing that meeting, 
arrangements for others were made. The new 
preacher's fame soon spread, and multitudes rushed 
to hear from him the word of life. 

When many on this island had been converted, 
and when it seemed to him that the work for which 
he had come here was accomplished, he passed over 
to Parker's island. In the latter place he received a 
welcome no less hearty than in the former; nor were 
4 



50 THE LIFE OF 

his labors less blessed. On botli these islands reside 
at this day those who were then brought into the 
kingdom of Christ. 

This visit, which occurred sometime in the winter 
of 1814 — 15, though of not more than six weeks' du- 
ration, was blessed to the conversion of scores of 
souls. Well might this faithful servant of Christ re- 
turn to his family, rejoicing in his Master's saving 
mercy. 

It is, perhaps, no more than justice to return for a 
few moments, to the comparison of our mechanic and 
graduate. It will at once be conceded by all who 
know any thing of human nature, that in these meet- 
ings, attended by not a little excitement, and perhaps, 
a little unwholesome enthusiasm, there were some 
"spurious" conversions, and also some "declension" 
afterwards. Still it is not difficult to see in this case 
a wise adaptation of means to a good end. Neither 
is it necessary, in accordance with this view, to main- 
tain that Mr. Phinney and his like had, at that time, 
the qualifications best adapted to lead those converts 
forward in the divine life. For this all readily admit, 
that one with his heart, his spirit, his sense of a divine 
call, his adaptation to the state of the people ; who, 
at the same time, was possessed of a thoroughly 
trained intellect, would be better ; — that one thus 
prepared could more efficiently aid his people in at- 
taining to that state of society in which true piety, 
true refinement, and true human culture are properly 
blended — a state which is the highest gift of Chris- 
tianity to earth. But it is very difficult, if not impos- 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 51 

sible, to our nature, to combine these qualifications in 
one person. It is especially difficult to combine in 
one person the adaptation spoken of — tlie modes of 
thought, forms of speech, and methods of manifesting 
emotion, such as are congenial with those of the great 
mass of the people — and that rigid discipline, which 
is afforded alone bj severe and long continued study, 
" For as we have many members in one body, and all 
members have not the same office ; so we, being 
many, are one body in Christ and every one members 
one of another." 

Well it must be, therefore, for any denomination of 
Christians, to appreciate every gift ; to cherish those 
who, though unlettered, are willing to go forth with 
their lives in their hands, to preach to others that 
gospel which has redeemed their own souls. Well, 
too, it must be for those who are willing to invite our 
graduate to his own office, whatever that may be. If 
he is a little awkward at first in approaching the 
hearts of the people, be sure that in that respect he 
will soon improve. If he has true piety and a 
true heart, the people will find it out. Not only will 
he improve himself, but, what is far more to the pur- 
pose, the people will, under his influence, improve in 
their tastes and methods of thought. 

Still it will be of no little service to the cause of 
Christ that this view of the subject has been intro- 
duced, if from it our young men, who are preparing 
by study to enter the ministry, shall again be reminded 
that, while it is impossible to be too thorough in their 
studies, still, much, very much depends upon their 



ism 



52 THE LIFE OF f 

spirit, their baptism into the work of their mission, 
and their acquaintance with human nature, not as it 
appears in school, but in this suffering world. God 
help us to be " members one of another." 

Upon leaving home, Mr. Phinney had so much 
anxiety of his own to surmount, that he entirely for- 
got to consult his neighbors as to what they would 
think and say about the propriety of his course ; or, 
possibly he thought they would not make it their busi- 
ness. But in this he was mistaken ; for no sooner 
was it "noised abroad" that their good neighbor 
" had really gone off to preach," than they took the 
matter under their consideration. Some said that it 
must.be that he was beside himself, — too much zeal 
making him " mad." Some said, that one who would 
go off and leave his family so, to spend his life for 
others, had deip'ed the faith, and was worse than an 
infidel ; others, more charitable, were of opinion that 
he had only " taken it into his head to be a great 
man ;" and others still, either better acquainted with 
him, or more disposed to appreciate him fairly, said 
that God was calling him to a great work, and would 
undoubtedly provide for the preacher and his family. 
It is gratifying to state, that a few of the last class 
were not content merely to say to the family, " Be ye 
warmed and fed." 

One who held a small note against Mr. Phinney, 
had more to say against the impropriety of his course 
than any other ; he threatened, that in case he should 
ever return to town, " to sue" him. This threat, he, 
like others who have no confidence in their own ve- 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 53 

racity, confirmed by a profane oath. But what of the 
threatened law-suit ? As we have said, Mr. Phinney 
had been among men of generous hearts. They did 
not therefore receive of his rich spiritual gifts, and then 
forget his wants. He was able not only to " take up" 
the note, but also to lay out a few dollars for the com- 
fort of his family. This, forsooth, furnished the man 
of threats with a clue to the problem which all others 
had attempted in vain to solve, and here is his solu- 
tion : neighbor P. has gone to preaching for money. 

"We will close this chapter with an incident or two 
illustrative of Mr. Phinney's method of heaping " coals 
of fire" on his enemy's head. 

During his residence in Phillips, the whole commu- 
nity were thrown into great distress, by learning that 
they had purchased their lands of an agent who could 
not make their titles good in law. They had either 
to buy their lands again, or leave their homes, the 
toil of years. After Mr. Phinney had secured the 
title to his land, he called upon the pretended agent, 
to ask of him the return of a fifty dollar note that he 
had given in part pay, but got for his pains a " take 
care of your business and Pll take care of mine." 
After appealing in vain both to his sense of justice 
and generosity, Mr. Phinney left him, saying, " I'll 
not forget to pray God to make you willing to do 
right." A few weeks after, the note was returned. 

At another time, after he had entered upon the 
work of the ministry, the following incident occurred : 
He had paid his tax ; but by some mistake, he was 
called upon for the same again. Of course all he 



54 THE LIFE OP 

did was, to say he had paid and had the receipt. 
The collector afterwards, however, wrote to him to 
call and pay, and " save costs." Mr. Phinney, calling 
at the office one day, said to the officer, " What does 
this mean ?" He became excited ; but Mr. Phinney 
produced the " voucher." "When the officer saw that 
he had been making a show of his authority at his 
own expense, he undertook to intimidate the honest 
man by falling into that kind of blustering, to which 
those are liable who have a bad cause to maintain ; 
he still insisted upon having certai-n fees, adding, " pay 
or I'll make you suffer." " I know my rights, and 
am not to be intimidated," said the preacher ; " but, 
to show you that I love peace, I'll give you the last 
money I have for my family." The other, as though 
he had just made a discovery, said, " Oh, you are 
that Phinney that goes on preaching expeditions, are 
you ?" " The same, sir." " I shall of course take 
your money," said he, adding, "I have a perfect 
hatred of hypocrites." " Take it, sir, if your con- 
science will let you," was the answer, as the money 
was handed over. 

It may not be best always to yield to such unjust 
demands, but the spirit in which Mr. Phinney did it, 
was not without its good results. Some years after 
this occurrence, the officer heard him preach. At the 
close of the meeting he not only returned his ill-got- 
ten gains, but, what was much more difficult, he made 
proper confession. 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. ^^ 



CHAPTER V. 

HIS SECOND TOUR AS AN EVANGELIST. 

For more than a year after his return from the 
visit, some incidents of which are narrated in the pre- 
ceding chapter, Mr. Phinney preached but httle. giv- 
ing his attention for the most part to secular business. 
Durino- this time, having disposed of his land m PhiUips, 
he had removed to Berlin, a town adjoining, where 
he was doing his utmost to provide for his family a 
comfortable and permanent home. Though thus 
enc^a-ed in business, he had not abandoned the hope 
of "entering "the gospel vineyard" sometime as a 
permanent laborer ; but, at present, he found himself 
unable to make any definite arrangements in this re- 
spect, as some debts which would soon fall due must 
be paid. We shall see, however, that he was soon 
led in a way not of his own devising. 

Some time in June, 1816, he started to Gorham to 

eno-acre in labor, to procure the means of meeting the 

demands just mentioned. The first day, arriving 

some time before night at Farmington, many of his 

friends who had, as we have seen, been converted 

under his influence, insisted upon his preaching to 

them that evening. He consented, and the meeting 

was not in vain ; as two at least of the redeemed will 

in heaven no doubt, as they now do, look back to it 

as the time in which they were enabled to make their 

escape from the kingdom of evil. 



56 



THE LIFE OF 



Next morning, instead of proceeding directly to 
Gorham, as had been his intention, he was induced to 
turn aside to Wilton, a town adjoining Farmington. 
To this decision he was influenced by learning°that 
Page, usually called " Father Page," had re- 
cently held there a series of meetings ; that, when 
some had been converted, and many more deeply im- 
pressed with rehgious truth, the meetings had unhap- 
pily been brought to a close by the riotous proceed- 
ings of certain opposers of religion, who took their 
wives and others by violence from the meetings, 
especially those of their friends whom they supposed 
to be under conviction ; and that " Father Pao-e," 
broken-hearted by persecution, had relinquished'the 
field ; and, as his death soon after occurred, it was 
supposed it had been hastened by the abuse there 
received. This was too much for our preacher to 
bear unmoved. ^ He hastened to bear comfort to the 
"lambs among wolves." 

"When he arrived at the river which he must cross 
in going to Wilton, he found the bridge borne away 
by the freshet, by which the river was then greatly 
swollen. But he was not to be turned aside by so 
slight an obstacle. By the appropriate use of a voice 
that can do good service on such an occasion, he soon 
brought to his assistance a young lady, who ventured 
to cross the river in a small boat. So swimming his 
horse before them they passed the river in safety^ 

After paying due tribute to the courage and skill 
of the fair one who had ferried him so safely over 
the swollen river, he spoke to her in his own way 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 57 

concerning the Savior. " Well, dear," said he, " have 
you found any one who can safely ferry you across 
the dark river of death ?" When she replied that 
she had not, he added, " AYell, dear, you will soon 
need some one ; there is no bridge across that stream : 
I have come to lead you to the only one who can con- 
duct you safely." So did the words of the earnest 
preacher deepen the impressions she had already re- 
ceived at the meetings before alluded to, that, as soon 
as she had conducted him to her father's residence, 
she betook herself to prayer, and very soon found 
Him by whose grace she was enabled to say, " O 
death, where is thy sting ?" 

Mr. Phinney next visited the family of Mr. Gam- 
mon, whose wife and daughters were among those re- 
cently converted. While here engaged in devotional 
exercises, one of those who had dragged his wife from 
meetings came in. At the moment he entered, the 
preacher was singing ; and immediately taking the 
wicked man by the hand, he continued to pour out 
his soul in praise to God. The man of wrath had 
now, as he afterwards confessed, met more than his 
match. Though he was not at that time converted, 
deep impressions were made upon his mind ; at least 
his spirit was so far conquered, that he never after- 
wards prevented his wife from acting her pleasure 
concerning meetings. 

He next called upon Mr. B., who was full of wrath 
because his wife and two daughters had been con- 
verted. The preacher had now to take his turn. Mr. 



58 THE LIFE OF 

B. immediately began to abuse him with all the in- 
sulting language he could command, concluding with 
emphasis, by saying, " I am mad." Mr. Phinney, 
who well understands that violent feelings soon ex- 
pend themselves, calmly waited for the appropriate 
time, when he politely asked the privilege of con- 
versing with his family upon the subject of religion. 
The reply was, " You may go in, if you will behave 
yourself" "I will do just as you bid me," said the 
preacher. The preacher was invited into the house, 
and, after a little conversation, even to pray. After 
he concluded prayer, Mrs. B., the wife of the persecu- 
tor, also presented a fervent petition for the conver- 
sion of all her family, and especially her husband, 
and thus in this family established the family altar. 
At parting a great change was perceptible in the 
father. To lalwr for the conversion of such men as 
have here been introduced, requires great meekness, 
and especially that wisdom which enables one to keep 
possession of his own soul under abuse. In these 
qualities our preacher is not deficient. 

Having thus spent the day in giving comfort to the 
newly converted in Wilton, and exhorting them to 
steadfastness in the faith, he was next morning on his 
way again to Gorham. He went no farther this day 
than Buckfield, where he called on Elder Joseph 
Hutchinson, who was then residing there. When he 
came within sight of this place, he experienced emo- 
tions similar to those of which he was the subject, as 
described in the preceding chapter. When Elder 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 59 

H. met and welcomed him to his home, he expressed 
the hope that Mr. Phinney had been sent to that peo- 
ple on an errand of mercy. 

By his own heart, seconded by the solicitations of 
the good minister with whom he was staying, he was 
prevailed upon to remain next day and preach in the 
evening. Though the meeting was well attended, 
the preaching was without any marked effect, — a cir- 
cumstance of no little embarrassment to many of our 
preachers in those times, as they expected to see at 
almost every meeting no little impression made upon 
the impenitent. 

Next day being Sabbath, he attended meeting in a 
town adjoining with Elder Samuel Hutchinson, where 
the latter had stated appointments. During one part 
of the day Mr. Phinney was called upon to preach 
the funeral sermon of a child. On that occasion his 
soul seemed to attain to more of his wonted freedom, 
and his hopes rather revived ; but, attending meeting 
next day in company with Elder S. H., in Buckfield, 
at " The Federal School House," he became again 
somewhat disheartened, fearing that he had mistaken 
the path of duty. He determined to start the same 
day again to Gorham, and for this purpose his horse 
was even led out. But the following incident changed 
his purpose : An impenitent young lady from one of 
the neighboring families, upon learning that Mr. Phin- 
ney was about to leave, hastened to entreat him as he 
loved the Savior, to remain. " The Lord," said she, 
" has work for you here. I am yet in my sins, and 



60 THE LIFE OF 

SO are many of my young friends. For my part," 
she added with much earnestness, *' I want religion." 
Mr. Phinney says, " As I loved my own soul's wel- 
fare, I dared not go ; I told them to put out my horse, 
and circulate an appointment for a meeting. How 
her earnestness rebuked me !" 

A series of meetings was commenced. The Lord's 
Spirit was poured out. The young lady just men- 
tioned soon found the pearl of great price ; she also 
proved an efficient laborer in winning others to Christ. 
The work continued till many were converted. 

Impenitent reader, oft have you felt your need of 
the Savior's pardon, — oft have you felt that if you 
possessed millions you would freely give all for the 
religion of the Son of God. You cannot buy it ; but 
rich or poor you may receive it without money and 
without price-^ Emulate the moral courage of this 
young lady. Express freely your conviction to some 
Christian friend, or faithful minister. Like her, 
frankly tell what you want, and ask an interest in the 
prayers of Christians. What though no revival may 
follow ; be assured that your own soul may be saved. 

Before passing, we add a few incidents that occur- 
red in this revival. Mr. Phinney says, "Be sure 
to tell about the drunkard converted there, for the 
encouragement of others." It so occurred that a lady 
well stricken in years, who was professedly a Univer- 
salist, attended these meetings. At length her heart 
was touched ; she sought and found pardon. Her 
husband, an inveterate drinker of the poison-cup, 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 61 

was by consequence induced to attend the meetings 
also ; he was at length converted. He lead a faithful 
Christian life, and died in the triumphs of faith. 

" Come all the world, come sinner thou ; 
All things in Christ are ready now." 

The meetings in Buckfield being closed, Mr. Phin- 
ney once more set out for Gorham, where he ex- 
pected to arrive the second day ; but the following 
incident changed his plan : In his way lay Raymond, 
where Elder Zachariah Leach, of lasting memory 
among the good, then resided. He found this friend 
of his just ready to go to Standish Neck to attend the 
funeral of a young man who had been drowned. The 
deceased had been a pupil of Mr. Phinney, and he 
could not resist the promptings of his heart to accom- 
pany his friend to the funeral, to offer to the bereaved 
parents his condolence. That every thing connected 
with the interests of his pupils affects the teacher's 
heart not less than if connected with his own, many, 
not naturally affectionate, are able to testify. But 
here was an uncommonly warm-hearted teacher, in 
company with other pupils, attending the funeral of 
one of their number who had been suddenly snatched 
from bright liopes, and that too, in the very place 
where the light and joy of the pardon-granting Sav- 
ior first beamed upon his own souL What wonder 
then that, after an affecting sermon by Elder Leach, 
he exhorted in words of power his young friends to be 
also ready. The sermon, the exhortation, the occa- 
sion, were not in vain. Many, being deeply im- 
pressed, urged Mr. Phinney to remain and hold a 



62 THE LIFE OF 

series of meetings. However pressing secular inter- 
ests may be, he is not the man who can refuse to 
comply with such a request from such a source. 

The meetings thus commenced resulted in a great 
religious awakening, in which many, not only in 
Standish, but also in other towns, were converted. 
This revival at length reaching Gorham, its interests 
called Mr. Phinney to that town. 

Thus, after spending more weeks than he expected 
to days, he reached his native town ; but in a capacity 
how changed. " In his own country," however, his 
preaching w^as not without its wonted power. So 
large were the audiences he drew, that it was difficult 
to accommodate them in the ordinary places of wor- 
ship. In that part of the town called " Horse Beef," 
it was found necessary to hold his meetings in open 
air J one of his friends, though not a professor of re- 
ligion, generously preparing a pulpit and seats in his 
orchard, to which he invited the preacher and his 
hearers. 

Many ze^ilous Christians worked and prayed with 
the preacher, staying up his hands by their sympathy, 
and by manifesting an interest in their own spiritual 
attainments, and the salvation of the impenitent. The 
result was, that in a few weeks not less than sixty, 
who had been without hope, were brought to Christ. 

Among those who were very useful in this revival, 
and whom Mr. Phinney would be happy to name, he 
mentions Miss Almira Westcott, since Mrs. Jeremiah 
Bullock. 

However unexpected it was to Mr. Phinney to 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 63 

visit his native town in the capacity of an evangelist 
instead of that of a cooper, it was more so, that he 
was able to return home, as soon as the interests of 
the meetings would permit, more than prepared to 
meet his creditors ; that he should thus in opposition 
to a false sentiment, then generally prevalent in that 
region, and indeed among all our churches, receive 
temporal blessings where he had bestowed his spirit- 
ual labors, was very surprising. But so it was. The 
grace of God abounding in the hearts of those just 
brought to Christ, so triumphed over even this sad 
error of the head, and the pinching economy not un- 
natural to that cold year, [1816,] memorable for three 
snowy days in June, that the faithful preacher's debts 
were paid, and his children did not cry for bread. 

On his return, calling again upon his friend Leach, 
he was introduced to another field of usefulness. A 
series of meetings was commenced in Raymond, 
which resulted in the conversion of several, who were 
baptized and added to the church. 

At this place and time he first met that eminently 
faithful servant of God, Zachariah Jordan, in the 
capacity of a preacher. From Raymond these friends 
travelled in company to Berlin, Mr. Phinney's home, 
and back again in a few weeks, having holden a great 
number of meetings at Buckfield, and several other 
places. 

We will close this chapter with the two following 
incidents : 

During the revival in Gorham, above noticed, at a 
prayer meeting, though at a private house, the young 



64 THE LIFE OF 

people present seemed so fully possessed with the 
spirit of the evil one, that they came near exhausting 
the patience even of our good natured preacher. At 
all events, he thought, as he could be of no service to 
them, it was best for him to leave them to their own 
way ; and with this design, he took his hat to start. 
One of his mischief loving friends, a young lady, in 
a manner half playful and half serious, said to him, 
" Are you then going away to leave us sinners to per- 
ish?" "The world," said he, "is full of sinners, 
many of whom not only treat ministers with polite- 
ness, but have some desire to be saved : among such 
I can do more good." " I want religion," said she, 
becoming at the same time more serious. " Then," 
said he, " let us kneel and pray." 

The season of prayer accordingly began. " They 
told me afterwards," says Mr. Phinney, " that I prayed 
very loud, and more than an hour. I presume I did ; 
for I was unconscious much of the time, and when I 
came to myself I was completely exhausted, and my 
throat was very sore ; but that sight I shall never 
forget ! As soon as I opened my eyes I saw nearly 
every one present was prostrate, and most begging 
for mercy in great earnestness. The meeting con- 
tinued till a late hour, but before it closed fifteen 
persons passed from death unto life, and thirteen oth- 
ers that were present were soon converted, who attrib- 
uted their awakening to that meeting. Among the 
number was the man of eighty years, and the child 
of fourteen. 

Mr. Phinney remarks also that some were so 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 65 

affected by the intense excitement, that they were not 
at first able to control themselves fully, and " stag- 
gered like drunken men," 

Once when P»lr. Phinney was on his way from Gor- 
ham to Farmington — a journey that he often made — 
overtaking a stranger, the following characteristic 
dialogue took place between the travellers. It may 
be interesting to some to know that the stranger was 
Mr. Heifford of Canton, and that this occurred in 
what was then a forest, where that village now 
is. After salutation, INIr. P. said, " Do you love the 
Lord ?" 

H. O, yes ; I always loved him ; for " He is kind 
unto all, and his tender mercies are over all his works." 

P. It is not so with me. I once hated God and 
his righteousness. I despised salvation through Christ, 
I was not disposed to think I needed salvation, and 
though God was kind to me, I would not allow him 
to save me. My proud heart would not accept his 
tender mercy. But now I love him. Would you 
not like to pass through a like change .'' 

H, There is no need of such a change in my case. 
I never hated that lovely Being ; and He is so merci- 
ful that it will be well enough with all hereafter. 

P. I perceive thou art in the bonds of iniquity. 
Shall I pray for you ? 

H, Do as you please. Do your duty. 

No sooner was this banter given than Mr. Phinney 
began to dismount. Leading his horse to the fallen 
trunk of a large tree, he knelt, still holding the rein, 
5 



66 THE LIFE OP 

Mr. Heifford, from curiosity, remained while the 
preacher offered a fervent and affectionate petition to 
the throne of grace fot the conversion of his fellow 
traveller. After prayer, as their roads parted, they 
took leave of each other ; the preacher dropping in 
his own impressive manner the single expression of 
the Bible, " Except a man be born again, he cannot 
see the kingdom of God." 

Twenty years passed away, and Mr. Phinney, in 
company with Elder Jordan, was engaged in a revival 
at Hartford, (Me.,) not far from Canton. Mr. Heif- 
ford was present. As soon as he heard Mr. Phinney's 
voice, he said to himself, " Thank God, that is the 
voice — that is the man who prayed for me when I 
was a Universalist." At the close of the meeting, 
Mr. Heifford pressed forward, and taking Mr. Phin- 
ney ■ by the hand, " Did you," he began, " did you 
pray for a Universalist on Canton hill twenty years 
ago?" 

P. « I did." 

H. " I'm the very man. After we parted I began 
to reflect upon what had passed. I felt that you pos- 
sessed something I did not. I began to feel wretched. 
I tried to pray. I went back to the place where you 
prayed. I looked at the prints of your knees. I 
often stole up to the hut of a poor man w^ho knew 
God, to hear him pray. In short, I had no more 
peace till I was born again. How I did want to hear 
your voice again ! I praise God for your faithfulness 
to me." 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 67 

The best logic to use with the self-righteous, is the 
manifestation of a life hid with Christ in God. 

Even in this life we meet some results of our lives 
— whether good or bad ; in eternity we shall meet 
alh Shall they afford us bliss ? 



68 THE LIFE OF 



CHAPTER VI. 

HIS ORDINATION, AND TRIALS IN REGARD TO THE SUP- 
PORT OF HIS FAMILY. 

It is proper to inform the reader that hereafter we 
shall not try, and should we try, we should be entirely 
unable, to trace the events of Mr. Phinney's life in 
the order of their occurrence. Sometimes we shall 
be wholly without dates. If any feel disposed to 
complain on this account, let it be remembered that 
Mr. Phinney kept no journal ; that the writer has 
been compelled to obtain one fact here and another 
there ; that a little more than a year since there was 
not a- single shred of writing in regard to the events 
he relates, save what is employed in the next chap- 
ter. We have no further apology to offer. 

In the last chapter, we have seen Mr. Phinney, 
however without design, fairly enter upon the labors 
of an evangelist. He henceforth expected to devote 
his life to that calling. Having disposed of his farm 
in Berlin, he, in compliance with the solicitation of 
many of his friends, moved in the autumn of 1816 to 
Standish Neck. Soon after this the Gorham Quar- 
terly Meeting held its session in the place of his resi- 
dence. Requests for his ordination came in from 
several churches. After the accustomed examination, 
he was duly set apart to the work of the ministry at 
the game session of the Quarterly Meeting. 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 69 

It is said that the occasion of his ordination was 
one of deep interest. It took place, it will be remem- 
bered, where he was converted ; here, too, he had 
taught ; and here the Spirit of God had been poured 
out upon his labors for the conversion of his pupils 
and others. Besides, the ordination sermon from the 
passage, " Study to shew thyself approved unto God, 
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly 
dividing the truth," delivered by Elder Joseph White, 
was one of the happiest efforts of that able minister ; 
and, still more, the ordination prayer was made by 
Elder Z. Leach, a man who, in his supplications to 
the throne of grace, always seemed to approach into 
the very presence of his heavenly Father. More 
than one at this day speak of his remarkable prayer 
on this occasion. At its close there was not a dry 
eye of saint or sinner present. 

From the time of his ordination, Mr. Phinney re- 
sided in Standish, Gorham and Scarborough, till 
1824, or 1825, at which time he moved to Harrison. 
During the period just named, besides the towns 
above mentioned, he preached in Portland, Gray, 
Buxton, Harrison, and many other places, his preach- 
ing ahnost always resulting in revivals. Having been 
consecrated to the sacred work, he did not feel at lib- 
erty to relinquish it, whatever might be the pressure 
of poverty or the calls of his family. He assured 
his family as from God, that they should never want 
for bread while he pursued his calling faithfully as a 
minister. 



70 THE LIFE OF 

We have seen when he began to preach he fared 
peculiarly well, for those times, in his pecuniary in- 
terests. But on this score there was experience in 
reserve for him that put his faith to severe trial. A 
few illustrations from his life will not prove unaccept- 
able. 

At one time, while his family was residing in Scar- 
borough, he was engaged in a revival at Gray. One 
day he began to feel uneasy concerning the welfare 
of his family, notwithstanding they were in the midst 
of brethren on whom he had bestowed not a little la- 
bor. His brethren in Gray tried in vain to dissuade 
him from leaving the revival at such a crisis. He 
must go ; he feared they might be in want of provis- 
ions. One brother said, " Well, if you must go, I 
will give you a bushel of meal ;" others gave him 
meat and other ^necessaries. He took them upon his 
horse and started. When he was almost within sight 
of his house, he met his wife and children. " Well 
dears," said he, " where are you all going ?" " We 
have started," said she, " to find our dinner ; you told 
us as long as you preached we should never want for 
food." "You have had your breakfast, have you 
not ?" " Yes ; but we have nothing for our dinner." 
Putting his hand upon the bag of meal, he said, " Here 
is our dinner ; we shall never want for food." 

When he returned to Gray, the brethren of that 
place sent one of their number to take provisions to 
Mr. Phinney's family. When he arrived, he asked 
Mrs. Phinney if she thought it right for a man to 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 71 

devote all his labors to the good of others, while he 
left his own family exposed to destitution. She had 
been tried on this point and had given up her hus- 
band to follow what she believed to be the path of 
duty; she replied, therefore, "It is right to obey 
God." This good brother, no doubt, returned with 
clearer ideas of faith than he came, and the wonder 
is that such things did not suggest to his mind and 
that of others, that it is important to adopt some sys- 
tematic way of supplying the wants of ministers and 
their families. But when a denomination commences 
with false views upon this subject, the covetous are 
attracted to it, and what is a thousand times worse, 
those naturally generous become covetous, as if in 
obedience to religion. 

Once certain brethren, prompted by their better 
impulses, determined to secure a piece of land and 
build a house for him. The house was begun. He 
labored upon it himself; perhaps he laid out some 
money upon it. He and his family began to dream 
of home and comforts. But stronger impulses over- 
took these kind brethren, and of course they were 
under no contract to fulfil any obligations to a preacher. 
" Cochranism" swallowed them up. What now is to 
become of the preacher who has been acting upon 
their promises ? He was simply to " take care of 
himself." 

However, he came out of this storm better off than 
could be expected, as the bare frame of his house 
was assigned to him, in part payment for the labor 
and means he had expended in preparing what he 



72 THE LIFE OP 

expected was to be his new home. Money enough 
had been sent to him by unknown hands to buy him 
a horse, to enable him to travel to his appointments. 
At length he disposed of his horse, to procure a piece 
of land, on which the frame now in his possession 
might be placed. To this piece of land, which was 
in Gorham, some kind brethren of that town moved 
his house. He was now well off; he had his land 
and the frame of a house ; but how could his family 
live there ! 

But he continued to preach. On his way, on foot, 
now, of course, to Gray, to fill some of his appoint- 
ments, he was in Windham driven by a storm into 
the house of Peter "White, brother of Joseph. As 
he entered the house with a portmanteau on his 
shoulder, all dripping with rain, Mr. White welcomed 
him, - saying, " Come in, thou blessed of the Lord ; 
you look like one of the old apostles." 

How often some similar commendation is the end 
of care, with many, for the faithful preacher. They 
admire and praise the self-denying labors of their 
preacher. They do more ; they trust to the goodness 
of their preachers to take them to heaven in their 
covetousness. But not so with Mr. White. He was 
a man of works as well as words. If the preachers 
of that day had trained him in the false idea that the 
church member is never to support the cause of 
Christ by any systematic efforts ; if they had trained 
him to do his part only by impulse, only when he 
" felt to give," he was one of those rare men who 
often " felt," and freely gave. He did not suffer Mr. 



CLEiTEXT PHIN'yET. 73 

Plimney to go the rest of the way on foot. He re- 
membered, too, that the preacher had the frame of a 
house that needed covering, and a family that could 
not always live on air. He looked to it that a week 
did not pass till the family were well supplied with 
provisions ; that lumber and mechanics were on hand 
to prepare them a comfortable habitation. Not that 
he did all himself. But when he had done his part, 
he knew how to stir up others — a kindly office very 
important, and yet easily accomplished by the man 
who never hansrs back himself From "Windham and 
Moderation, from Gorham and other places, came 
lumber, men and money. The work was soon done. 

It is not difficult to see that such an event caused 
no little excitement. It is easily imagined that many, 
who never before had thought of doing anything by 
way of supplying the wants of their preacher, par- 
taking of the general enthusiasm, would not on this 
occasion be found wanting. Among these, one exam- 
ple must not be passed over in silence. One good 
brother of the church, though possessed of a good 
property, still never before had anything to spare : 
but now he did not withhold his hand from giving. 
Though he lived some two or three miles distant from 
Mr. Phinney's new house, one day, near twelve o'clock, 
he was seen approaching on horse-back. When he 
came up he remarked to 'Mr. Phinney, that he thought 
he must do something for him, and so had come to 
brinsr him and his two workmen their dinner. It 
would do vou sood to hear Mr. Phinney tell with 



74 THE LIFE OF 

what pride and satisfaction the old gentleman deliv- 
ered the precious morsel which constituted " his part" 

Such was the pressure of poverty at another time, 
that Mr. Phinney, yielding to the solicitations of oth- 
ers, undertook, in addition to preaching, to teach a 
district school. This is the only time he ever con- 
sented to turn aside in any degree from his great call- 
ing. In this step he was unhappy ; duty, he feared, 
after all the wisdom of his friends, called to another 
field. Before the term upon which he entered was 
half out, a good man dying in another town, [Scar- 
borough,] made it as his last request that Mr. Phin- 
ney should preach his funeral sermon. In compli- 
ance with this request, the preacher dismissed his 
pupils, not to return to school till they heard from him. 
He never returned to the school ; the funeral proved 
the- occasion ibr the commencement of a great re- 
vival, which he did not feel at liberty to leave, how- 
ever soon the utmost destitution might overtake him. 

It was good for the progress of truth that the false 
principles in regard to the support of the ministry, 
early adopted in the denomination, so soon led minis- 
ters confessedly faithful into trial and suffering. Suf- 
fering is to our stupid race the great teacher of pro- 
gress. The lessons of revelation, nature and com- 
mon sense are neglected, till the neglect itself, by 
consequent sufferings, so enforces these lessons, that 
at last they are heeded. So in this case. Some por- 
tion of our ministry, by the severe pressure of want, 
were, at an early day, convinced of their error. New 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 75 

ideas in regard to the support of the ministry thus 
gained a place in many minds. A strife between the 
conservative and progressive doctrines arose. For 
the last fifty years, the truth has been gaining. In 
this important reform, we shall see Mr. Phinney has 
done his part. 

This would be a good place, if Mr. Phinney would 
permit it, to give the particulars of his greatest pe- 
cuniary trial. For the present, at least, it must suf- 
fice to say, that it was of such a nature that it 
cornpelled him to spend the winter of 1819 — 20 in 
Portland. But he was not there in vain ; as under 
any trial he still continued to preach the gospel. His 
preaching in this city resulted in great good ; but for 
the present we pass. 

A year or two before this he went to Moderation 
in Buxton, to hold a series of meetings. The result 
was a revival, that not only proved a rich blessing to 
the church there, but it resulted in the conversion of 
not a few in Hollis. 

During these meetings, Mr. Phinney relates, that one 
evening there knelt some thirteen or fourteen persons 
who were seeking mercy through Christ. Some 
were not more than thirteen or fourteen years of age, 
others were of middle age, and others still were, by 
the weight of years, trembling on the verge of the 
grave. All but the youngest were soon rejoicing in 
redeeming love. But he seemed sometimes driven 
almost to despair. At length, his soul rejoiced with 
the rest. Whence was this struggle, this despair "^ 



76 THE LIFE OP 

He had slandered a neighbor ; he was unwilling to 
confess ; it was only a slight offence ; surely, there 
could be no need of confession ; but it was in vain he 
attempted to climb up some other way. At last he 
yielded this point and was happy. 

" Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which 
leadeth unto life." The whole heart must be yielded ; 
there can be no reserve. Confession and restoration, 
if within our ability, however mortifying, however 
trying, must not be neglected by those who would 
enter into "life." Many, by neglecting smaller 
crosses than the one just noticed, have gone on from 
sin to sin, till at last they have been numbered in that 
unhappy company that shall at length hear even the 
Lover of sinners say, " Not every one that saith un- 
to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of 
heaven; but ha that doeh the will of my Father in 
heaven." 

Among the converts of this revival were Andrew 
T. Hobson, since a minister, and others of the same 
family, still pillars in the church of Christ. "A 
number of the converts of that meeting, both of Bux- 
ton and Hollis," says Mr. Phinney, "are now in 
heaven ; a few remain unto this ^ present' ; but a few 
more faithful days, and they and this poor dust shall 
be gathered to our fathers, and our spirits be happy in 
the company of those gone before us. Will our 
children fill our places in the church ?" 

Mr. Phinney was never much given to tears. But 
as he thus recurred to the associations of other days, 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 77 

and looked forward with the Christian's hope to the 
renewal of friendships in heaven, the tears stole over 
his furrowed cheek. They were not tears of sorrow. 
The Christian has comfort the world knows not of. 

Moderation is among the few places of Mr. Phin- 
ney's early labors, that it has been the privilege of 
the writer to visit, and his visit there will alwavs be re- 
membered with pleasure. The church of this place. has 
been peculiarly blessed with faithful pastors. Not 
only has it been blessed, therefore, to the conversion 
of many souls, but is always ready to lend the help- 
ing hand to others. The billows of " Cochranism," 
and other later delusions, have beaten in vain. The 
faithful Shepherd has protected it. Still, as we write 
of this place, there is a sense of sadness with our 
pleasure : for there may be seen the grave of Seth 
F. Chaney, that star whose light had only begun to 
beam with blessings upon that church, when it was 
eclipsed by death.* But on this painful occasion this 
church were worthy of such a pastor ; for though he 
died far away from them, they did not rest till his 
remains were sleeping in their church-yard. 

We must in our next chapter follow our preacher 
through a new class of trials. 



* Bro. Chaney was ordained pastor of this church in June, 1842, 
and deceased October, 1843. 



78 THE LIFE OF 

CHAPTER VII. 

COCHRAN AND COCHRANISM. 

To place upon the page of history the errors and 
defeats of the church is scarcely less serviceable, in 
securing her true developments and permanent ad- 
vancement, than to proclaim her virtues and her vic- 
tories. In this view, it may not be considered entirely 
without service to the cause of truth, to place even 
upon our ephemeral pages some account of that man- 
ifestation of religious delusion and fanaticism, known 
as " Cochranism." Besides, in tracing the life of Mr. 
Phinney, when it became necessary, at least, to touch 
upon this subject, it was not deemed unwise to devote 
to it labor sufucient to collect the principal facts con- 
cerning it. 

Care has been taken not to put down anything as 
fact^ which is not supported by the concurrent testi- 
mony of witnesses who are familiar with what they 
relate. Among those upon whom we rely, besides 
Mr. Phinney, may be mentioned El^r Zachariah 
Jordan, and Elder Ephraim Stinchfield. The testi- 
mony of the latter we find in a pamphlet which he 
wrote at the time this delusion was at the height of 
its power, and which was pi'inted in 1819. This 
pamphlet, as well 'as other efforts of its author, did 
not a little in checking the evil to which it relates. 
For what is probably the only remaining copy of it, 
we are indebted to the kindness of a lady who not 



^ CLEMENT PHINNEY. 7^ 



only is, but who is worthy to be, a grand daughter of 
Elder Stinchfield, a name of holy memory. 

About the close of the year 1816 or the beginning 
of 1817, Jacob Cochran, from whom this ism derived 
its name, moved from Conway, N. H., to Scarbor- 
ough, Me. He began immediately to preach in Scar- 
borough, though we have been unable to ascertain 
anything as to his character or calling before. 

Though a preacher, he belonged to no denomina- 
tion of Christians ; he was however friendly to all ; 
on the one hand, he did not wish to tear down any 
existing religious organization, nor, on the other, did 
he wish to add another to their number. He desired 
rather to work through any or all to restore to the 
church apostolic religion and the lost miraculous 
powers. Such were his professions. 

Though uneducated, he was by no means deficient 
in what is called native talent ; indeed he seemed to 
possess a large share of it ; but it partook of shrewd- 
ness, rather than of sound discretion. If he was not 
able at once to carry his point, he had that self-pos- 
session which can successfully conceal disappointed 
feelings, till it at length reaps from defeat the fruits 
of victory. If he possessed not genuine piety, he 
well knew how to assume the look and gesture of ex- 
traordinary sanctity ; and, if he had not the powers 
adequate to true eloquence, he could successfully sway 
the multitude by vehement zeal and a kind of mes- 
meric inspiration. 

When this new preacher had won not a little upon 
the attention of the good people of Scarborough, Mr. 



^^..^^^^AMiMMHittiiiiiiiMiiiiifikai- 



80 THE LIFE OF 

Phinney went there, as he was accustomed to from 
time to time, to hold meetings. Mr. Cochran was 
among the first and most attentive of his auditors. 
When the sermon was closed, upon liberty being 
given to others to speak, as was then the custom after 
almost every sermon delivered by preachers of our 
Connexion, Mr. Cochran arose, apparently over- 
whelmed with holy emotions, and said, " To-day I 
have heard the gospel in its purity. God has sent 
this servant of his here for a great work of salvation." 
After many similar remarks, he concluded by pro- 
posing publicly to give up his appointments to Mr. 
Phinney, reserving to himself simply the privilege of 
exhorting occasionally, as the spirit might give him 
utterance. By way of securing for his proposal the 
more favor, he concluded by giving utterance to a 
kind of prophetical' conviction, that should his plan 
' be acceded to, a most remarkable revival would im- 
mediately follow. 

AVhatever were Mr. Phinney's feelings of repug- 
nance to acceding to this plan, and whatever were his 
apprehensions of evil, he could not well decline a 
proposal, thus publicly made, without bringing against 
himself serious charges of uncharitableness and sec- 
tarianism. The event proved, however, that Mr. 
Phinney did not sufficiently rely upon his own con- 
victions. 

Mr. Phinney, entering upon the duties of the pro- 
posed series of meetings, Mr. Cochran accompanied 
him, faithfully availing himself of his reserved priv- 
ilege : he exhorted sinners to flee to Christ ; he often 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 81 

wept excessively, as he listened and as he spoke. 
The consequence was that his prophecy was fulfilled, 
and he won the entire confidence of the people. 

Though thus successful with the people, there wa& 
still one Mordecai sitting in the king's gate. He 
was conscious that Mr. Phinney withheld from him 
his confidence. Other efforts were to be put forth, 
either to win him, or deprive him of his power among 
the people. For this purpose he chose an opportu- 
nity when he and Mr. Phinney were in the com- 
pany of several of the brethren of leading influence. 
" Brother Phinney," said he, " you are very hard- 
hearted ; you do not love me ; it is as cruel as the 
grave ; for I never before saw the man I love half as 
much as I do you." Mr. Phinney, raising his cane 
to a horizontal position, replied, " Jacob, I love you 
at the end of that, but I cannot receive you to my 
heart." This kind of jugglery, however, succeeded 
too well. 

About the same time Mr. Cochran went to Hollis 
to preach. Here again he resorted to a similar trick 
to secure influence. " Go to Scarborough," said he to 
his hearers, many of whom had been converted under 
the labors of Mr. Phinney, "go to Scarborough, and 
listen to Mr. Phinney, if you want to hear the pre- 
cious gospel in its purity. I have travelled in ten 
States, but never before has it been my privilege to 
listen to such a man of God." 

Though Mr. Phinney was all the time conscious of 

danger, both to himself and the church, he struggled 

in vain to break from the toils which were laid before 
6 



■iMili 



82 THE LIFE OF 

his own eyes, and in which, notwithstanding that, he 
was but too successfully taken. The following inci- 
dent was the source of the most hope for a successful 
escape : Mr. Phinney having returned to Scarbor- 
ough, ascertained that Mr. Cochran had grieved even 
his warmest friend, by an attempt to perform a mira- 
cle ; for, on this point, he had as yet said but little, 
and that very cautiously. At this time, however, he 
undertook to cast the devil out of a man who was 
under deep conviction. Placing his hand on the 
head of the subject, he prayed, and bid the devil de- 
part. He then tried to convince the man that he had 
really undergone a great change, but all in vain ; he 
insisted that he was no better ; despite every thing, 
the exorcist made a complete failure in his experi- 
ment ; and, as before stated, grieved his best friends, 
■who prevailed upon Mr. Phinney, when he returned, 
to rebuke the evil spirit in their friend. He accord- 
ingly called Mr. Cochran to account in the presence 
of a part of those who were witnesses of his trans- 
gression. At first he insisted that the power of work- 
ing miracles still remained in the church, and, that all 
the faithful could exercise it ; but, w^hen he found he 
was losing ground, he made his retreat with such dex- 
terity that his retreat was his greatest victory. Turn- 
ing his eyes to Mr. Phinney, with great apparent pen- 
itence, he said, " I bless God for such a faithful man ; 
O how faithful ! I have sinned ; I have wronged the 
cause of Christ ; forgive me ! What shall I do !" 
While he thus spoke, tears flow^ed in streams over 
his cheeks. 



CLEMENT PniNNET. 83 

Such penitence, or rather, signs of it, fully restored 
him to the confidence of his friends. They wondered 
that Mr. Phinney could not fully forgive such a meek 
man of God, as they called him. On the other hand, 
Mr. Cochran ceased not to praise the faithful preacher 
who rebuked him. Thus at length he succeeded in 
destroying in a great measure the influence of Mr. 
Phinney over the people, and then very soon run his 
miserable career, as we shall soon see. 

Here we get a glimpse of Mr. Phinney's weakest 
side. He never was a man of strife. He was not 
born for war, however heroic his ancestors might have 
been. He is so little disposed to war, that his char- 
ity is in more or less danger of degenerating into lat- 
itudinarianism. Too much charity is a fault, of which, 
however, we do not often have reason to complain. 
Every virtue has a corresponding error, into which 
the virtue, so to say, without much watchfulness, easily 
passes. On this ground, had it been our object to 
make the subject of our pages a hero, our hero would 
have been, at least, out-generaled if not conquered. 

But to return to Mr. Cochran. By the sort of dex- 
terity described — by his great enthusiasm, and by as- 
suming an extraordinary degree of sanctity, by prais- 
ing at lirst those ministers dear to the hearts of youn"" 
converts, and by insinuations afterwards — he at length 
succeeded in destroying, with many persons of a pe- 
culiar cast of mind, the influence of those who had 
shown their character by their faithful lives, and 
attaching the same to himself in a sort of fanatical 
friendship, by which he prepared^ them to go any 



84 THE LIFE OF 

length in absurdity, folly and even crime, that his in- 
terest or caprice might dictate. " Those who join 
and become members of this brotherhood," said Elder 
Stinchfield in his pamphlet, " must renounce every 
natural connection, and be exclusively under the con- 
trol of their leaders, who, while they promise them 
liberty, are themselves the servants of corruption j 
for, of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he 
brought into bondage." Again : " I had, before I left 
this place," says he, in speaking of what he witnessed 
in Kennebunk, " such a discovery of the mystery of 
iniquity, working to the subversion of all social ties, 
between husband and wife, parents and children, rulers 
and ruled, ministers and people — the rising genera- 
tion corrupted by the introduction of such vicious 
practices under the cloak of religion — that it seemed 
as if r should be constrained to cry day and night 
against the abomination that maketh desolate." Again : 
" When I arrived in the upper towns in the County 
of York, I found this dreadful hydrophobia with all 
its dire effects — children denouncing their parents ; 
members of churches, their pastors ; neighbors, one 
another." 

When Mr. Cochran had organized a party for him- 
self, and had thus become free from his dependence 
upon the ministers, by whose influence he at first con- 
trived to secure to himself power, he revived his doc- 
trine and practice of miracle-working. " They, like 
all other enthusiasts," says Elder Stinchfield, " pre- 
tend to a light superior to that of any other religious 
society since the apostles ; and the power of healing 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 85 

the sick, raising the dead, and casting out devils — all 
of which thej said had been literally performed among 
them. Extraordinary dreams and visions, they as- 
serted, had been experienced, and wonders wrought." 
Among the " wonders wrought," was a pretended bap- 
tism of the Holy Ghost. The preacher, while all 
around him was intense excitement, placing his hand 
on the head of the candidate, exhorted him to " Press 
to the light." An adherent to this party told Elder 
Stinchfield, that Mr. Cochran, " by only laying his 
hand upon a person's head, could so effect him that 
" he would immediately fall to the floor and cry out 
in great distress ; and after continuing in that frame 
a short time, he would then be delivered from that 
distress and shout, Glory." 

From this extraordinary degree of ^* holiness," so 
dependent upon mere states of the body, as induced 
by fear, the glow of emotions, and various other 
mental states or exercises, it was no long step to holy 
physical exercises. Then came logically enough holy 
dancing, marching, and " reaping ;" then a luxurious 
feast called " the Passover ;" then, verging from the 
sensual to the spiritual, came the spirituality of mat- 
rimony — ordinary marriage being proclaimed as of 
the Pharisees, not of Christ ; spiritual ties alone have 
validity for Christians ; then, of course an outer tem- 
ple for the uninitiated, and an inner for the initiated ; 
then a sanctum sanctorum for the high priest ; and 
last of all, this holy place, like the Romish confess- 
ional, became a shrine of Venus. 



86 THE LIFE OP 

Let us hear Elder Stinchfield again : " At one 
time a cry is uttered by him or some other in his 
assembHes in the language of the angel in the Rev- 
elation, Thrust in thy sickle and reap, for the harvest 
of the earth is ripe. A number in the assembly will 
then be thrown into the greatest agitations ; a violent 
exertion of the arms and body, for a long time to- 
gether, takes place. These are called reapers, and 
the operation reaping. To other violent motions of 
the arms and body, they give the appellation of win- 
nowing, and separating the chaff from the wheat ; 
another they call, gathering and hirning the chaff. 

" Cochran pretends to have the power of life and 
death in his hands, and frightens his pupils into a 
compliance with any of his injunctions, by threaten- 
ing to stop their breath in a moment; by which means 
he takes females from their parents and carries them 
to his brothel. He declares he has the keys of the 
kingdom of heaven, and pretends to open it for, or 
shut it against, whom he sees fit, by stretching out, 
and making a Violent twist with his arm, one way or 
the other." 

To such excesses of crime, especially in violation 
of the seventh commandment, did this pretended re- 
former recklessly proceed, that he was soon arrested 
in his career, and, after due examination and convic- 
tion, sent to the State's Prison to suffer its well de- 
served penalties. Though his arrest took place in 
Feb. 1819, only about three years from the com- 
mencement of his preaching in Scarborough, yet, \% 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 87 

is said, that at one time Lis adherents numbered more 
than two thousand ; but before this, even, his numbers 
had begun rapidly to diminish. 

Among those who successfully opposed this de- 
structive delusion was Elder George Parcher, of 
Saco, where Mr. Cochran at length established his 
head-quarters. At no great distance from Elder 
Parcher's residence was Mr. Cochran's gloomy and 
" dreary mansion, provided wholly with wooden shut- 
ters on the outside, the better to conceal, no doubt, 
the works of darkness practiced within its walls. The 
general family consists of twelve females, besides 
those who visit the house occasionally. Some of these 
are widows, who, wdth the rest of the females, have 
surrendered their persons, character and property 
into the common stock ; and remain in this place, as 
those declare who have left them, destitute, to all ap- 
pearance, of any profitable business ; and are, most 
of them, forbidden to labor with their hands for a 
living ; and intend, as I was informed in the neigh- 
borhood, that the wicked shall maintain them ; though 
I believe it is generally thought they will be hungry 
soon, as the property which has been brought together 
by this religious fraud is nearly spent ; and not much 
prospect of his realizing his original purpose, of hav- 
ing all things common, for any considerable time to 
come."* 

Aside from this new movement, religious excite- 
ment, had, in that vicinity and in various denomina- 



* Cocliranism Delineated. 



88 THE LIFE OF 

tions, run to a very high degree in what were called 
revivals ; so that the way was so well prepared for 
Mr. Cochran, that very many otherwise discreet and 
even pious persons yielded to this new fanaticism. 
Indeed it seemed to be carrying all before it. Things 
in this state, Mr. Parcher, as we were about to relate, 
was so deeply impressed with a sense of duty to warn 
his neighbors against their impending danger, that one 
Saturday morning leaving his field, his horses in the 
furrow, he went from house to house among the doubt- 
ful, and those already gone over, pleading with them, 
in the name of his Master, to flee from the destroyer. 
The next day he went to their assembly, and, at length, 
obtaining permission to address them, he charged them 
in the name of God to cease from their abominations. 
His warnings and exhortations were not in vain ; for, 
though many hissed and brawled, gnashed their teeth, 
and threatened to take his life, so much was God's 
power in the word of this bold and faithful preacher, 
that he not only came off unharmed, but he was en- 
abled by these and similar efforts to put an effectual 
check to the further spread of this fanaticism in that 
vicinity, to save the doubtful, and indeed to leave the 
apostate with only a few adherents. These soon ran 
to the excesses named, which aided not a little in 
bringing their own abominations to a close. 

Under the influence of this delusion, many made 
shipwreck of their piety, who, under happier auspices, 
might have been ornaments to the church ; some were 
led into great domestic aflilictions, — husbands and 
wives being parted for life, and the unmarried so cor- 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 89 

rupted, that some were compelled to drag out life, con- 
scious of guilt, and others in public disgrace. After 
the imprisonment of Mr. Cochran, Mr. Phinney, in 
company with Elder John Boothby, of the Christian 
denomination, went over the fields thus laid desolate. 
" Never, never," said one of the unfortunate victims, 
" can I be happy again ; I have lost all self-respect." 
This is only a specimen of what every where made 
their hearts sad and even sick. Some who had been 
in affluent circumstances, were compelled in old age 
to suffer for the necessaries of life. 

It might well be supposed that a delusion so speed- 
ily followed by such sufferings — sufferings that had to 
be endured without the consolations of conscious inno- 
cence — would ere this have lost all adherents. But 
ft delusion once fastened upon the religious feelings, 
is not so soon cured. Though thirty years have 
passed since Mr. Cochran went to prison, near the 
site of his " gloomy, dreary mansion," there is this 
day the abode of some five or six of " the faithful," who 
still, perhaps, wait for either their old prophet or a 
new one to arise and lead them to the substance of 
the bright visions that fired their youthful imagina- 
tions. Besides these, here and there, in Saco and 
vicinity, may be found one who still lives in hope. 
These, it is said, occasionally meet to cheer their spir- 
its by a religious dance, so as to enable themselves 
the better to endure the ills of their sad pilgrimage. 

It is said that, notwithstanding this delusion is so 
ludicrous where it is not too sad, some of its adher- 
ents, by a long life of integrity and general good 



90 THE LIFE OF 

character, enjoy tlie high esteem of all their acquaint- 
ances. Vilio that by his own experience kno^YS any- 
thing of the frailty of our nature, would deal harshly 
with such ? Who havino; such self-knowledge does 
not tind it congenial with his heart, to throw around 
the foibles of such the ample folds of the mantle of 
charity, as he commends them to him whose judg- 
ment alone is without mixture of error. But this ex- 
ercise of charity must not prevent us from learning 
the lessons of wisdom which human frailties and suf- 
ferin2;s are desisrned to teach. 

As to jMr. Cochran himself, his term in prison so 
crushed his spirits, or, at least, moderated his hopes, 
that he completely fiiiled of the honors of martyr- 
dom. By a natural death not long after his release, 
he was called to his last account. 

Tims inglorious, Protestantism suffers most of her 
enthusiasts and fanatics to die. Had he fallen under 
the care of " the holv mother," how different would 
have been his fate ! Then might the sacredness of 
the confessional, or the gloomy walls of a nunnery, 
have screened his crimes from the knowledge and 
penalties of justice ; the gencralsliip of a new order 
of chaste monks rewarded his zeal on earth; after- 
times given to him fame and saintship ; and to his 
saintship might have been muttered the prayers of the 
devout of cominsr centuries. To manv of no more 
virtue and not half the talent of Mr. Cochran, are 
offered up every day in papal churches thousands of 
prayers. 

Only now and then among Protestants can a great 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 91 

enthusiast attract to himself power and honor. When 
the church is just arousing herself from a long sleep 
of formalism and dead works ; when she begins anew 
to breathe the breath of that life oftered to his people 
bj the Savior; when this new life just begins to malvc 
itself felt ; then an enthusiast may lead off* great num- 
bers of those who are of peculiarly ardent tempera- 
ments, especially if they have not enjoyed the ad- 
vantaires of education. 

Just such a state of affairs existed when Mr. Coch- 
ran began his movement. He had the warmth of 
emotion, apparent sanctity and shrewdness to attract, 
combine and control the elements, made ready to his 
hand. Already '' swoonings," and various other mes- 
meric phenomena, had begun to be considered indica- 
tive of peculiar holiness. Nothing but sheer greedi- 
ness for sensual indulgence prevented his party from 
rapidly spreading through the conntry. But for this, 
temples of more splendor than those of Kirtland and 
Nauvoo miolit lonix aw have been built to his honor. 
But the honors, if such we may call them, which he 
might easily have won, are now associated with the 
name of the Mormon martyr. 

Antinomianism, that keeps the children of the 
church from the consciousness of the redemption 
wrought out by Christ, is the parent of that enthusi- 
asm which places all religion and religious blessings 
in the emotions. This enthusiasm, when the feelings 
have spent their life, as they soon must, produces in 
its turn antinomianism and infidelity. Formalism 



92 



THE LIFE OP 



cannot save the church from over-excitement ; over- 
excitement cannot save her from formality. The 
consciousness of redemption in the human heart — the 
gospel itself, in short — can and must save her, if she 
is ever saved, from both. 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 93 



CHAPTER VIIL 

TO HIS REMOVAL TO HARRISON, IN 1824. 

The Free-will Baptist denomination may be re- 
garded as having had its origin in the great religious 
iwakening that occurred under the labors of Wesley 
md Whitefield. The last sermon ever delivered by 
he latter, (in 1770,) was blessed to the conversion of 
1 sail-maker, Benjamin Kandall, the acknowledged 
bunder of the denomination. At first, he joined 
• the Standing Order," as the Congregationalists were 
hen called in New England ; but owing to a differ- 
jnce of opinion in regard to baptism, he soon after 
oined the Calvinistic Baptists, among whom he was 
icensed as a preacher. Possessed of strong practical 
common sense, and a judgment un warped by the the- 
)logical training of those times, it was, of course, im- 
)0ssible for him to adopt the high toned Calvinism 
hen prevailing in the two denominations with which 
le had been, thus far, associated. Besides, it was, 
iltogether uncongenial with his heart, warmed by the 
' brotherly love" of a life-giving gospel, to refuse to 
jommune with acknowledged Christians, simply from 
I difference of opinion in regard to baptism. Hence, 
n 1780, he was led to form a Free- Communion Bap- 
;ist church, holding to the freedom of human will. 
Hence sprung the nick-name Free-will Baptists, and 
ihe denomination designated by it. 



94 THE LIFE OF 

Soon after the foundation of the denomination, came 
those times in which the freedom of the State, then 
so lately achieved in our country, began to react 
upon the church, breaking down, to some extent, re- 
ligious aristocracies, and detracting somewhat from 
the currency of the ideas upon which they were 
founded. Old men, who had been through the revo- 
lution, fought over their battles for independence and 
equality as they sat in their easy chairs, surrounded 
by their children and their grand-children. Irregu^ 
lars in the church as well as in the State gained 
strength, and, at length, a recognition of their rights 
from the old esta,blishraents. 

This reaction of the American Revolution upon the 
church is a subject of importance to all, and its pe- 
culiar influence upon us as a denomination is cer- 
tainly not enough considered by ourselves. On other 
pages, if life be spared, we hope to give more atten- 
tion to the topics here indicated. 

The origin of the denomination being such, and in 
such times', it wall readily appear to one, upon reflec- 
tion, that it was at first peculiarly exposed to various 
hurtful eccentricities, and especially to the enthusiasm 
of the religious feelings. Of the truth of this remark, 
we have already given some painful examples. But 
these evils, having their origin mostly in the feelings, 
more speedily pass away than does the influence of 
false dogmas. The denomination owing its origin in 
so great a degree, as we have intimated, to the anti- 
nomianism then prevailing in the old denominations, 
it was but human to attribute. that spiritual death to 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 95 

wrong causes, for instance, to an educated and well 
paid ministry. Would that ihisjnsfance were a mere 
supposition. Still further, it would be quite in ac- 
cordance with what usually takes place in all rehgious 
secessions, if these false ideas took a stronger hold of 
the minds of the seceders, by reason of the arrogant 
bearing assumed by the conservatives toward those 
whom they regarded as erring brethren. 

These remarks may seem, to some, quite out of the 
way in tracing the life of Mr. Phinney, but we can 
learn little as we ought to learn, of the spirit and use- 
fulness of a man, unless we keep in mind some of the 
principal circumstances, in the midst of which he is 
compelled to act. We must remember that Mr. 
Phinney was constantly exposed to over-action, in the 
direction of that kind of religious excitement which 
owes its origin too little to the genuine convictions of 
the intellect, and furthermore, that he had constantly 
to contend against the influence of the false ideas 
already mentioned. Not only are these things neces- 
sary to a proper view of his life, but it may be wor- 
thy of remark, that he who would be very service- 
able to any new^ denomination, especially as a preach- 
er, needs to study well its origin, and to discern clearly 
the leading ideas it is struggling to develop and or- 
ganize. It is only thus, that he can learn its peculiar 
exposures to evil, present deficiencies, and, what is 
still more important, how to remedy such deficiencies, 
without introducing something worse. 

The following sketch of a Quarterly Meeting, 
which one of our oldest ministers, who was present, 



96 THE LIFE OF 

relates, illustrates one point above named. The 
meeting occurred during that part of Mr. Phinney's 
life, of which we write in this chapter. It was hold- 
en in a Confyresrationalist meetinoj house at L. On 
the morning appointed, the house was filled to over- 
flowing ; for Quarterly Meetings in those times at- 
tracted people from great distances, and great and 
good were their spiritual influences. Elder Z. Leach 
presided on this occasion. He entered the pulpit and 
invited some other preachers to take a place with him. 
One after another refused from mere embarrassment. 
Perhaps they had never been in a pulpit ; for we 
must try to keep in mind the true state of things. 
Mr. Phinney accepted the invitation. As he started 
he began to sing. So did he sing, with the spirit and 
the understanding, that scarce one restrained his tears. 
So the meeting began. In Ihe afternoon the minis- 
ter, in whose church the meeting was held, was in 
the pulpit. When Elder Leach v/as about to enter 
it to open the afternoon session, the man of the pul- 
pit would not suffer it. Elder Leach then took his 
stand on the lower part of the stairs leading to the 
pulpit. But the other, as if fully conscious of belong- 
ing to "the standing order," with his long cane, push- 
ed the irregular away entirely from the pulpit and 
all pertaining to it. To this unchristian course it was 
well that those who had the charge of the meeting 
opposed a spirit so strikingly in contrast, that the 
cause of arrogance lost much, while that of reform 
gained not a little. The common people, who, for 
the most part, hear the truth gladly, were so disgusted 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 97 

with their minister, that they soon permitted him to 
find a field of labor more congenial to his feelings. 

It can but excite the sense of the ludicrous, to 
think of a minister, in such circumstances, posting 
himself in the pulpit, armed, not with the brotherly love 
and spiritual graces conferred by the gospel, but with 
a huge cane, to guard his sanctum from the contam- 
ination of the uninitiated ; as though he would say^ 
" True, my people have voted to let these fellows 
have the house for their Quarterly Meeting, but not 
the pulpit ; this sacred spot is mine, and guard it I 
will." As straws are said to show which way tho 
wind blows, so this apparently trifling incident may 
indicate the intolerance with which the fathers of the 
denomination had to contend. Since, despite many 
weaknesses and errors, we have at last, through God's 
blessings, won a respectable standing among our sis- 
ter denominations, it may be well for us thus to glance 
at the past. It certainly will, if thus we may improve ; 
if we may learn never to manifest an arrogant spirit 
toward beginners in such a religious course as their 
consciences may dictate, however different that may 
be from ours. 

We may not pass without alluding in this connec- 
tion to the pleasure we experienced in being permit- 
ted to witness, only a year or two ago, a very different 
»cene from that above described. It occurred, too, 
near the same place. At a session of the Maine 
Western Yearly Meeting, a corresponding messenger 
from the Association of Congregationalists of tho 

State was received. The object of the correspond- 
7 



98 THE LIFE OF 

ence thus begun is to promote brotherly love among 
Christians of different names. May it continue, till 
among all who profess to be followers of Christ, sub- 
stance shall be more cared for than shadow. 

When " Cochranism" was at its height, and had 
quite driven Mr. Phinney from his field of labor in 
the towns where it was raging, he went to Harrison, 
to commence there a series of meetings.* His labors 
were blessed. The revival which followed resulted 
in the organization of the Harrison church, which 
yet remains. Already it has done good service in 
the Master's cause : long may it continue to win souls 
to Christ. 

At the commencement of these meetings there was 
every prospect of good. Joseph Phinney, brother of 
Clement, resided there. He was not only impeni- 
tent, but very rude. After the first meeting, Joseph 
gathered his impenitent friends around him to put 
them on their guard against his brother. " Look out," 
said he, " or Clement will have you. I know him 
well. He will have a great revival here." How 
often the impenitent harden their hearts to resist the 
influence of the truth, and yet, when on their death- 
beds, think they have a claim to be converted ! But 
notwithstanding this preparation against the truth, 
the revival began ; the people became deeply inter- 
ested ; scarce could they pursue their labor, although 
pressed by the cares of harvest. As the preacher 
went from house to house, and from field to field, to 



*TI)iswasinl818. 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 99 

converse with the people, he found many anxious in 
regard to their salvation. 

Among these was Major Emerson, upon whom the 
impenitent relied much for their support in opposition 
to the revival. Joseph heard he was anxious, and 
had visited him to strengthen him. Mr. Emerson 
told him that he had determined to seek the Savior. 
Joseph was not sparing in his ridicule. When the 
preacher visited the penitent man he said to him, 
" Your brother will kill me ; he gives me no peace." 
Most earnestly did Mr. Phinney pray that all obsta- 
cles to the revival might be removed ; he prayed in 
faith ; he believed what he asked would be granted. 
While he was thus pleading with God, Joseph was 
just leaving his horse, a mile distant from the place 
of prayer. God arrested him in his wicked career. 
He fell to the earth like the persecuting Paul. He 
cried for help. His wife assisted him to return to his 
house. As he lay prostrate he lifted up his voice in 
prayer. A messenger hastened with the glad tidings 
to the preacher, around whom a company of the anx- 
ious had gathered. When it was said to that com- 
pany concerning the persecutor, " Behold he prayeth," 
they were overwhelmed as by the power of God. 

Mr. Emerson and Joseph soon found peace ; the 
revival rapidly advanced ; in it Joseph was very use- 
ful. Six weeks after, when Mr. Phinney left, his 
brother, in absence of preachers, took the lead of the 
company of Christians there gathered. He eventu- 
ally became a preacher. 



Lof^ 



Ui ' 



100 THE LIFE OF 

At the meeting in which Joseph first publicly con- 
fessed Christ, Mr. Phinney had been setting forth 
various obstacles that hindered the progress of relig- 
ion. He said, some professors of religion become 
Pharisaical, they care more about the letter than the 
spirit; they prevent their children from attending 
meetings where the life and power of the gospel are 
manifested. As soon as the preacher took his seat, a 
lady arose, and in great excitement said, " I don't like 
to be twitted of my faults in public ; strange that a 
preacher cannot come into the neighborhood, but 
that my neighbors must run to him each with a bud- 
get of tattle. I will not be treated so ; my character 
shall be cleared up." " Dear," said Mr. Phinney, 
'* who are you ; I have been preaching about Phari- 
sees ; no one has said a word to me about any such 
here." The lady sent word to him afterwards to come 
and "clear up" her character, and Mr. Phinney's 
friends advised him to call and to re-assure her that 
he was not personal ; but of course he had other em- 
ployment on hand. 

This was not the only time that he has been charged 
with personalities, as every preacher is liable to bo 
who understands human character. 

In 1820, in company with Elder Mark Fernald, of 
the Christian denomination, Mr. Phinney visited Kit- 
tery, in the western part of Maine, and a portion of 
N. H., Portsmouth and vicinity. He attended a largo 
meeting of importance among the people just named. 
He relates that at this meeting he attempted to preach, 



CLEMENT PHTNNET, 101 

but made, as he considered, a perfect failure. A sea- 
son of mortification followed, possibly repentance, 
for repentance is usually more needed than mortifi- 
cation at such seasons of a preacher's experience. 
The parents of the family he passed that night with 
were greatly backslidden. Early the next morning 
he betook himself to a retired grove for a season of 
prayer and humiliation. He resigned himself to the 
needed chastisement received the day before. As he 
returned happy in his soul, he met at the door a 
young lady, the daughter of his host. " Daughter," 
said he, addressing her, " do you love the Savior ?" 
" I do not," said she. " You ought to ; he has been 
very kind to you." This simple rfimark having noth- 
ing of cant in it as employed by him, had its effect 
upon her mind. At family worship that morning 
she yielded her heart to the Savior. She praised 
God ; her parents were rebuked. In the fulness of 
her joy she hastened to one of the neighbors to tell 
some of her associates what had been done for her 
soul. As she rushed into their midst, she exclaimed, 
" The Savior is good ! the Savior is good." The 
preacher, (who accompanied her,) gave his hearty 
"Amen, Amen." A season of prayer was com- 
menced in that family. Soon two young ladies came 
to the door, being attracted, as they said, by some 
one shouting "Amen, Amen." Those who heard 
Mr. Phinney in those days will not find it difficult to 
believe that he might have been heard at a consider- 
able distance on such an occasion. '< Come in, come 



102 THE LIFE OF 

in," said he ; " the Savior is here forgiving sinners ; 
come, join us." 

This resulted in the conversion of three or four 
young persons besides the one with whom the work 
commenced. When the mind is enlightened, the 
work of salvation may be speedy. Neither weeks 
nor days of distress need pass, nor even hours ; let 
the heart yield, and the work is done. So, too, in a 
single moment the grace of Christ may be rejected 
forever. Of this the following is a painful illustra- 
tion: 

A few days later, Mr. Phinney was preaching in 
the town of Rye, N. H. The audience was largo 
and attentive. A man of more than sixty years en- 
tered the house and approached the pulpit ; his throat 
was apparently cut from ear to ear, and the blood 
dripping therefrom. He gazed a moment, earnestly 
and wildly, upon the preacher, and then rushed from 
the church. The feeling of horror that pervaded all 
present, cannot be described. Mr. Phinney after- 
wards visited him, and received the following, in sub- 
stance, from his own lips : 

" Some thirty years since, I was awakened to a 
sense of the need of salvation through Christ. I 
sought the Savior of sinners and was happy. It was 
a pleasure to me to pray. Soon my mind came again 
under the influence of my former habits. I thought of 
wealth. The issue seemed to be presented distinctly 
to my mind : ' Will you be a genuine Christian, or 
will you be a rich man ?' I chose wealth ; the Spirit 



CLEMENT THINNEY. 103 

of God left mj heart ; I was given over. I have 
weaUh, but I have lost my soul ; my life is a burthen 
to me ; I would rather be in hell than suffer such tor- 
ments on earth ; I tried to take my life, but was pre- 
vented. I escaped from my friends to the church." 

His wound did not prove mortal. He would not 
consent to have any one pray for him ; he insisted 
that he had sinned a^i^ainst the Holy Ghost — tliat he 
was beyond the reach of hope. I have understood 
that he died in the same wretchedness. How truly 
it will be said to some, " Son, remember thou hadst 
thy good things on earth." Already they seem to 
feel the fires of hell in their own bosoms, and eternally, 
as they reflect upon their fool's choice, they will feel 
the gnawings of the worm that never dies. Reader, 
what choice have you made ? 

At Portsmouth, N. H., Mr. Phinney met the eccen- 
tric Lorenzo Dow. " Though many other preachers 
were present," says he, " as Dow was about to enter 
the pulpit, he selected me to take a place with him, 
doubtless because I was the shabbiest of all in my 
apparel." Similar poles do not always repel each 
other. 

In this tour, also, he visited Hampton, where he 
preached in the Calvinistic Baptist church. " TThen 
I saw the people assembling," says he, " I felt de- 
pressed in spirits. I betook myself to a place of re- 
tirement, and asked God for a message. He gave 
me one, and I delivered it : the people gladly heard 
and were deeply affected ; but much good was pre- 
vented by the devil, for he put it into the heart of a 



104 THE LIFE OF 

well known hypocrite to take on at a great rate, and 
pretend to praise God." A distinguished divine give« 
it as his opinion that the devil, for a similar purpose;, 
put it into the heart of " a certain damsel" to follow 
Paul and others, crying out, " These men are the ser- 
vants of the most high God, which show unto us the 
way of salvation."* 

During this tour he preached almost entirely in 
churches not of his own denomination. In several 
places he witnessed the out-pouring of the Spirit 
After an absence of many weeks, he returned home 
by way of Kennebunk, where he baptized several, 
who had been converted under his labors. 

Mr. Phinney was a man of faith. When laboring 
once about this time, in Standish, he perceived that 
the good work was much hindered by a young man 
of leading infltience among the youth. In secret re- 
treats he prayed God to change this hinderance into a 
help. It was so. Many were converted and added 
to the church. " Next," says he, "I looked over into 
Raymond ; I felt my heart moved for the church there 
in perils." It appears that a great declension . had 
followed a great revival — a fact so often occurring 
that it should attract more attention than it does. The 
younger members of the church were in the habit of 
attending dancing parties, and the older did little if 
any better. Between two members there had been, 
not only a quarrel, but a blow on one part. Here he 
found Elders Jordan and Leach j he told them that 



♦ Acts xvi. 16—18. 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 105 

he came to weep over the desolation of Zion. He 
visited from house to house. Saturday, at covenant 
meeting, many were in attendance ; humble confes- 
sions were made by many, among whom were the 
two offenders alluded to. The next dav, as Mr. 
Phinney undertook to preach, he could only weep ; 
his swollen heart compelled him to take his seat. 
Tears, when they cannot be restrained, are not with- 
out their eloquence. The people began to weep for 
themselves. 

Cyrus Latham, son-in-law to Elder Stinchfield, 
had just moved into a newly finished house. He pro- 
posed to have a conference meeting at his house next 
evening. His invitation was accepted. It was the 
custom of the young people to dedicate the new 
dwellings by a dancing party, Avhich they called a 
"house warming." In mentioning "the meeting for 
the following evening, Mr. Phinney could not pass 
over the coincidence. So, notwithstanding the solem- 
nities of the meeting, he invited the young people, 
especially, to be present, as he was about to introduce 
a new kind of " house warming." His grave associ- 
ates were schocked, and besought him to apologize, 
to retract, but in vain. 

Next evening the house was, of course, crowded, 
but too many came from mere curiosity. The meet- 
ing was sluggish. Perhaps the over-excitement of 
the previous day had some influence in rendering it 
so. The meeting was dismissed in disappointment. 
Still, many seemed loth to leave. Mr. Phinney be- 
gan to sing. The cry, " God, be merciful to me a 



106 THE LIFE OP . ♦ 

sinner," was soon heard. The meetings were pro- 
tracted; the church was healed, and many sinners 
converted. Some who had been backslidden many 
years, were reclaimed, and among those baptized, was 
one who had been awakened many years before, un- 
der his preaching in another part of the country. 
For their encouragement the faithful are permitted 
from time to time to meet cheering results of their 
efforts. 

Tn 1822* Mr. Phinney attended a Quarterly Meet- 
ing in South Parsonsfield, where he first met Elder 
Jonathan Woodman, who, though he has endured 
many years of hard and faithful service, is still firm at 
his post. Here, too, was Elder John Buzzell, the per- 
sonal friend and faithful coadjutor of Benjamin Ran- 
dall. He has done good service in writing the biog- 
raphy of his friend. In his palmy days he was a 
minister of great power, and many have, through his 
labors, been made savingly acquainted with Christ. 
Already he has lived to see generations pass away, 
and still, for the sake of others, our prayer is, " Late 
may he return to heaven." 

This meeting was protracted, and a revival followed, 
as was usual after Quarterly Meetings in those times. 
God be praised that this feature seems to be again 
returning. Mr. Phinney was pleading at this meet- 
ing with sinners to accept the pardon procured by 
Christ. " In the war of the Pwcvolution," said he, " a 
soldier deserted ; he was pursued and apprehended, 

♦Elder Woodman writes in reference to the Quarterly Meeting, 
" I am very sure it was in 1822." 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 107 

convicted and sentenced to suffer deatli. Lady Wash- 
ington heard of the unfortunate soldier ; she plead 
with Washington to grant him a pardon, if possible. 
The soldier was led out to suffer his sad fate ; he 
kneeled upon his coffin ; the soldiers were just ready 
to fire upon him. At that moment the pardon came. 
The deserter was saved. With what joy did he ac- 
cept the pardon ! Sinners, you are guilty, and con- 
demned. Already you kneel upon your coffins. Soon 
you will pass to the world of the lost. But the Sav- 
ior has procured your pardon. O receive it !" Mr. 
Lord, a Calvinistic Baptist minister, being present, 
remarked, that he was an eye-witness of a scene in 
the Revolution similar to the one related. He spoke 
of the great rejoicing of all the spectators when the 
pardon came. A military man was present. All this 
was too much for him ; he arose and said with much 
emotion, " 1 know I am guilty, condemned and just 
ready to suffer the penalty ; the soldier rejoiced when 
the pardon came ; the pardon has come to me, but 
my hard heart rejects it." He soon after, with oth- 
ers, accepted the pardon from Christ. 

The next place we find Mr. Phinney is at Water- 
borough, at a session of the Quarterly Meeting. A 
revival succeeded it, and spread into adjacent towns. 
Mr. Phinney travelled around " Ossipee Mountain," 
as a high hill situated there is called, preaching at 
various points. He compared these journeyings to 
the siege laid to Jericho by the trumpeters of Joshua. 
He called on Elder Pelatiah Tingley, who was spend- 
ing his last days with David Burroughs, his son-in- 



y 



108 THE LIFE OP 

law. The old gentleman was then slowly recovering 
from a severe illness. He insisted upon having one 
meeting at his house, so that he could once more hear 
the gospel preached. His wishes were complied with. 
At the close of Mr. Phinney's sermon, he exhorted 
all to seek the Savior. He said he felt the spirit of 
revival, and that, if like Simeon, he could see the 
Lord once more, he would be content to depart. Next 
morning, he insisted upon being placed once more up- 
on his horse. No one could dissuade him, though 
feeble Avitli disease and the weight of years. He 
went forth with Mr. Pliinney once more into the 
Lord's vineyard. He witnessed once more the work 
of the Lord in the salvation of sinners. He seemed 
to renew his age. This, however, was his last effort; 
he was soon after called to_his reward. 

Elder Tingley was one of the oldest men in the 
denomination. He came over from the Congrega- 
tionalists at an early day, and rendered very efficient 
service in those times, when all had yet to be sys- 
tematized. Mr. Phinney takes great pleasure in 
telling of one of the old gentleman's prayers. It 
occurred in a time of great interest, by reason of pe- ' 
culiar responsibilities to be undertaken by a Yearly 
Meeting. It is as follows : " O Lord, teach us each 
to know thy will, and do it ; teach us each to find our 
places, and keep them : Amen." 

At an evening meeting, during this revival, a gen- j 

tleman became very deeply convicted. Mr. Phinney 
exhorted him never to leave the house till he had j 
found peace. His soul was soon happy in the love 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 109 

of God ; he exhorted two old professors of religion 
who had a strife, to remove that stumbling block out 
of the way of the impenitent. His exhortations were 
heeded. 

In the midst of the revival came " Thanksgiving," 
an occasion often observed in a spirit very different 
from that possessed by tliose who instituted it. So 
noAV, the impenitent determined to make it tell against 
the cause of God. A ball was determined upon ; 
but God's Spirit had taken deep hold of the public 
mind. Old men who braved it out, were compelled 
to attend the ball without their wives, and young men 
went in vain for their partners. Of course the ball 
was broken up. Some of the disappointed attended 
the meeting for the purpose of disturbing it, but they 
went away praying. When Christians feel their re- 
sponsibilities, and look to God for help, they become 
acquainted with that power that overcometh the 
world. 

In Waterborough, Elder Hobbs was pastor. He 
had just returned from the Legislature, of which ho 
was a member. He was full of politics, and back- 
elidden, as most ministers and professors of religion 
are, though unnecessarily, when they have passed a 
session in such bodies. Mr. Phinney felt it very im- 
portant that he should be revived before the converts 
were left alone to his care. Soon the time came 
when the converts demanded baptism and admission 
to the church. The pastor's mind was so filled with 
Eomething besides the Spirit of God, that he felt un- 
prepared for these duties. But Mr. Phinney ulterlj 



y 



110 THE LIJbE OF 

declined to attend to them for him. The consequence 
was, that the pastor, by prayer and humiliation, pre- 
pared to lead forth his fiock. 

Nothing, perhaps, to which we shall refer, presents 
the character of Mr. Phinney in a more favorable 
light than the trait brought out in the above incident. 
In the case given, he acted upon his well-settled prin- 
ciples in relation to the rights of others. He always 
exercises a care to check all such personal attachment 
to himself as will injure the usefulness of others. Of 
the hundreds converted under his labors he baptizes 
but few, where there is a pastor. Converts often in- 
sist upon being baptized by him because his labors 
have been blessed to their conversion. He says to 
them, " I am soon going away ; your pastor is hence- 
forth to be your spiritual ^uide ; he ought to baptize 
you, especially if you regard it as a point of attach- 
ment." So he utterly refuses to marry those who 
apply to him, where there is a pastor. By these 
and other methods he strives to attach the hearts of 
the people to their ministers. Sometimes persons 
begin to whisper to him, " We wish our pastor was a 
man of revival spirit." He quickly perceives the 
strife to which such whisperings tend. He proceeds 
to explain the differences between the duties and la- 
bors of a pastor and those of an evangelist. " Your 
pastor," says he, " wears much longer than I could ; 
my preaching is over in a very few weeks ; my ser- 
mons are few, his are many." Every pastor feels him- 
self strengthened and cheered by him. How differ- 
ent this from what sometimes takes place ! Some, 



©LEMENT THINNET. Ill 

whose labors are even blessed to the conversion of 
manj, either from want of proper care, or a proper 
spirit, sow in every church they visit seeds of discord. 

It would appear from a little attention to the sub- 
ject, that the rights of pastors in many places might 
be treated with more respect than they are ; but the 
fault alluded to, may be regarded as an evil incident 
to a state of transition : it will doubtless pass away in 
a few years. The pastoral office will soon be more 
fully appreciated among us. 

From Waterborough he went to Limington ; from 
there to Newfield. Jn the latter place, he labored in 
connection with Elder vSamuel Burbank. All things 
here appeared at first forbidding, but still they prayed 
in faith. " The reformation cloud soon appeared, and 
a good work followed." 



112 THE LIFE OF 



CHAPTER IX, 

TO HIS REMOVAL TO BUCKFIELD. 

In 1824, Mr. Phinnej moved to Harrison. The 
brethren of that place built him a house ; he under- 
took a pastoral charge, and his labors were apparently 
blessed ; but we never find hiin long at home, nor 
happy in constant labors with one church. He says 
of himself that he could never be anything but what 
he is as an evangelist, " Not even a good cooper." 
Thoujrh we are not obliged to a";ree with him in 
this view of himself, we should appreciate his wisdom 
and goodness in pursuing so perseveringly the duties 
of the sphere to which he is so manifestly adapted. 

About the only time of which we shall have occa- 
sion to speak of any suffering of his from ill health 
is this : Soon after he settled in Harrison, by exces- 
sive labors and continual exposures, he became much 
reduced in strength. The influenza then setting in, 
caused him to fear that he should soon be called away 
from the church on earth. When he could no longer 
labor in public, he was faithful in his private exhorta- 
tions to brethren, begging of them, as they loved tho 
Lord, to cast aside all indifference, and serve God 
with undivided hearts. 

While he was yet feeble, being scarcely able to 
speak above a whisper, a Quarterly Meeting occurring 
at Moderation, he could not deny himself the priv- 
ilege afforded by it of meeting his fellow laborers 



1 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 113 

once more on earth. Though he met, on this occa- 
sion, not less than fifteen ministers, the moderator 
exhorted him with the rest, as the custom then was, 
" to look for duty/' After preliminaries, he arose to 
deliver the message that rested upon his own heart 
with great weight. At first he could scarcely be 
heard, but at length, his voice becoming clear, he pro- 
ceeded in his discourse with freedom and power. His 
sickness was gone. When the eye is single to some 
great purpose, when the soul is swallowed up in self- 
forgetfulness, man rises above many "ills flesh is 
heir to." 

The last year the Legislature of Maine held its 
session in Portland, many of his townsmen wished to 
send him to represent his town in that body. They 
urged him to take this step, as he could be elected 
without entering into party strife, and from another 
motive that sometimes has great force with good men 
whose families are next door to suffering by poverty, 
and especially he ought to accept, they thought, this 
proffered kindness, as he might be of great service 
by preaching on Sabbaths, during the session, in the 
city where his preaching had been instrumental in the 
conversion of so many. Whatever other preachers 
might think their duty under such pressure, he told 
his friends that they must look out some other man 
to " serve tables," as he had given himself entirely 
" to the ministry of the word." But still, many of 
his townsmen were determined to elect him, and he 
only accomplished his own defeat through the efforts 

of his relatives. Such singleness of devotion to a 
8 



114 THE LIFE OP 

worthy object rarely goes unrewarded, even in this 
life. " Seest thou a man diligent in his business ? he 
shall stand before kings ; he shall not stand before 
mean men." 

Having thus refused to turn aside from the duties 
of the ministry, he immediately started on one of his 
" preaching tours," taking his way through Lewiston 
and Bowdoin to Richmond. When at Lewiston, he 
was prevailed upon to attend the funeral solemnities 
of " the oldest inhabitant." At Bowdoin, he preached 
a few times with good effect in reviving the church, 
which he found in a " low condition." 

At the close of one of his meetings here, a lady 
confessed herself to be a backslider. In conversa- 
tion, after this, one of her neighbors remarked that 
she was happy to hear such a confession, as it had 
long- been necessary. " It was good," said he, " and 
there is much more hope of a confessing backslider, 
than of one who does not apprehend his condition." 
This remark resulted in the confession and reforma- 
tion of the self-righteous. 

At Richmond, he attended a meeting that lasted 
several days, appointed for Christians of every name, 
to unite in supplicating God to revive his work. Af- 
ter this meeting closed, in which he labored with all 
his heart, he continued to preach in the same place. 
The Spirit of God began to be poured out, but, as 
the ground had always been occupied by other denom- 
inations, sectarian whisperings were begun, which, of 
course, always endanger God's work. Mr. Phinney 
had seen enough of human nature to know that 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 115 

prompt steps must be taken to prevent the progress 
of this evil. In the public assembly, alluding to the 
danger, he therefore said, " My Master never sent 
me to throw clubs, nor to proselyte, but he sent me 
to preach his gospel. If, in this meeting, minister or 
layman attempts to proselyte, let him be marked as a 
transgressor. Permit each to follow his own prefer- 
ences, but let us all, as brethren in Christ, work to- 
gether for the salvation of sinners." Such statements 
are not unfrequently made by the veriest proselyters 
the earth ever sustained, still, to keep their spirit in 
its fulness is always indicative of a soul raised by 
Christ's indwelling love far above the mean sectarian 
self-seeking that too often appears among so called 
embassadors of God. 

After this, all worked together in unity, and the 
result was, one of the most glorious and extensive 
revivals in which Mr. Phinney has been permitted to 
labor. It spread to many towns. Elders Robinson, 
Allen Files, Samuel Hathorn and Andrew Rollin, 
were faithful and successful laborers in this revival. 
And as fruits of it, several churches were gathered. 

Soon after Mr. Phinney commenced labors in 
Richmond, being called upon to deliver a funeral dis- 
course, he selected as his text the words, " The Mas- 
ter is come, and calleth for thee." There was pres- 
ent a large audience, and his words fell with power 
upon the hearts of many. Among those deeply con- 
victed was D. R., who was the ringleader of the irre- 
ligious in what was then called " the Reed neighbor- 
hood," a place then noted for its wickedness, rather 



116 THE LIFE OF 

than for its piety. Soon after this, D. R. attended 
" a raising," and in the evening, was expected to lead 
in the dance. All were ready and waiting. Oddly 
enough for him, he hesitated, but being pressed, he 
exclaimed, "I cannot do it; I have danced long 
enough over hell ; God have mercy on my wicked 
soul." His earnest words, under such circumstances, 
were to his companions like a clap of thunder in an 
unclouded sky. His wife was likewise under convic- 
tion, at home. As she thought of the influences to 
which her husband was exposed that evening, she de- 
termined to go for him. She had gone but a little 
way in her path, which led through the forest, when 
she heard her husband's voice, and saw by the light 
of their lanterns several of his companions with him. 
She hastily returned, and retired to bed. The hus- 
band and his company soon arrived. He called up 
his wife and son ; they all cried mightily to God for 
mercy ; the whole family found peace. As they re- 
lated their experience, it appeared that conviction had 
fastened upon their minds at the funeral spoken of; 
the husband had not mentioned his conviction to his 
wife from fear of her mirth : she had been alike silent 
from fear of his profanity ; and the son from fear of 
the frowns of both his parents. Often, even the im- 
penitent, might aid each other in finding the true path 
to happiness, if, instead of the reserve they usually 
maintain in regard to their own mental states, they 
should freely and frankly express to each other their 
desires and aspirations, hopes and fears, in regard to 
Uieir own religious interests. 



Ml 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 117 

Soon, the report spread that God's work had bro- 
ken out in the " Reed neighborhood." It was strange, 
but true, and this carried conviction to the hearts of 
many. Those who considered themselves reprobates, 
began to hope there was yet mercy for them, if, in- 
deed, the Lord was working in that wicked place. 
Saturday came, and with it a meeting for inquirers. 
" Such confession and begging for mercy," says Mr. 
Phinney, " I never listened to before or since." 

After many had made confession of their sins and 
asked an interest in the prayers of Christians, one 
lady arose to confess her wrongs toward another, her 
neighbor ; but, concluded in that manner that marks 
the half-sincere confession, "you, too, have done 
wrong, and ought to confess." Mr. Phinney, with 
mildness, promptly rebuked the evil spirit, assuring 
the possessed, till it was cast out, that she could have 
" neither part nor lot in this matter." This incident 
afforded an opportunity of checking that fanatical 
spirit of confessing in public those things that it is 
requisite to confess in private to the individuals 
wronged, or to God alone. 

One Sabbath, a C. Baptist minister asked him to 
preach from the text, " How shall we escape, if we 
neglect so great salvation." This preacher, though 
entirely blind, had proved himself very useful in Bos- 
ton ; but at length, wine, and flattery, that still greater 
destroyer, especially of preachers, caused him entirely 
to backslide. In the afternoon, Mr. Phinney announced 
the words proposed as his text. They made such an 
impression upon his own mind, that his emotion ren- 



118 THE LIFE OB' 

dered him unable to proceed : he paused not less than 
fifteen minutes : indeed, his text constituted mainly 
his sermon ; he was compelled to take his seat ; but 
the very power of God seemed to be in the words as 
he read them : the whole assembly was moved to 
tears ; then followed a conference, in which each 
spoke as he was moved by the Holy Spirit, and 
sinners, publicly confessing God is in you of a truth, 
cried out, " Men and brethren, what must we do to 
be saved." 

Among the latter class that day was D. Waterman, 
now an able minister of the gospel. He arose and 
said, "I often hear you Christians say, you have a 
heaven to go to heaven in : however that may be, 
one thing I certainly know, that I have a hell to go 
to hell in. Pray for me, that I may escape, and re- 
ceive salvation by Christ." 

Another impenitent man who was accustomed to 
ridicule the cause of Christ, went to meeting that day, 
as he said, to get a half dollar's worth of religion. 
He went home weeping, begging for mercy through 
the Savior. 

There is ground to hope that the backslidden 
preacher who proposed the text, was also benefited, 
as he was subsequently restored, and lived a life of 
faithfulness. 

In Litchfield, D. P., a young man, who attended 
the meetings, appeared for many days to be deeply 
convicted, but he could find no peace. He thought 
an associate had wronged him, and he determined to 
avenge himself. In this state, it was of course im- 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 119 

possible for him to be forgiven. He attempted to 
pray in the language of the Lord's prayer. "When 
he came to the words, " Forgive us our debts as we 
forgive our debtors," he could go no further. He 
felt he was calling down the vengeance of God upon 
his own head. He was at work at midnight in a saw- 
mill when he gave up the spirit of revenge. So great 
was his joy, that he hastened to his father's house, 
where Mr, Phinney was passing the night, to tell him 
what God had done for him. 

Two or three of his fellow-laborers, under whose 
care the meetings were mostly conducted in Litch- 
field, rejected the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's 
Supper. Soon, however, the converts demanded bap- 
tism at their hands. The preachers called upon Mr. 
Phinney to baptize the converts, as they did not like 
to say to them, " Baptism is an idle ceremony." He 
utterly refused, urging them at the same time, to at- 
tend to their own duties. This resulted in the con 
version and the obedience of the preachers. 

The closing scene of this revival in Richmond was 
impressive. After the candidates had been baptized, 
they, and the multitude in attendance, took position 
upon the banks of the stream, around the preacher, as 
he stood upon an elevation of land. After he ex- 
plained briefly his views as to a few fundamental 
principles of the gospel, he desired those who wished 
to be formed into a church to come forward. They, 
taking each other by the hand, formed a circle about 
him. He knelt and prayed. They became a church, 
and appointed their officers. Then he said, " I have 



120 THE LIFE OF 

now labored with you fifteen weeks, night and day ; 
many here have been almost persuaded to become 
Christians ; to-day I leave you : before I go, I wish 
to pray once more, especially for such as design now 
to seek Christ. Let such form a circle within the 
church." A great many coming forward, knelt around 
him. Once more the man of God lifted up his voice 
in prayer in behalf of perishing sinners. " In that 
prayer," says he, " I was nearer heaven than I ever 
expect to be again, till I arrive there." 

In concluding our account of this revival, it is wor- 
thy of remark, that the brethren did not forget that 
the preacher has temporal wants. They put into the 
hands of Mr. Phinney, more, by far, than he would 
have received for " serving tables," had he gone to 
the Legislature. In this time of declensions, how 
needful is that faith which trusts that he who feeds 
" the fowls of the air," will not see his faithful ser- 
vants suffer. Should more go forth with the same 
spirit of devotion, with the same single eye, should 
we not hear 'less complaint about temporal wants, and 
instead thereof hear of revivals ! 

From Richmond he went to Topsham. Here he 
was invited to preach in the old meeting houses which 
the congregations had left for new places of worship. 
He accepted, and the people said the old gospel was 
preached in the old houses, and they went in multi- 
tudes to hear him. The President of Bowdoin Col- 
lege was among his hearers. Those converted, were 
all added to other denominations, as there was then 
in that place no F. W. Baptist church. 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 121 

After a short excursion to Bath, where he was very 
kindly treated by the C. Baptists, he returned to 
Topsham, and there protracted his labors. He still 
advised those converted under his preaching, to unite 
with the churches already organized. Notwithstand- 
ing this truly liberal course, the anger of one of the 
ministers was stirred against him, and for once Mr. 
Phinney was accused of something like sectarianism. 
" The people," said the complainant, " leaving their 
pastor, go off after you;" and finally charged him 
with unchristian conduct. "Have you," said Mr. 
Phinney, " seen anything in my course that leads you 
to think I am not a Christian ?" " I have seen noth- 
ing," the other pettishly replied, "that makes me 
think you are one." Mr. Phinney proposed to have 
a season of prayer and then to go into a calm inves- 
tigation of the complaints. But the other would 
neither pray, nor stay while Mr. Phinney prayed. 
The interview closed, and Mr. Phinney continued to 
labor as before. This is in direct contrast with the 
treatment he has been accustomed to receive, for the 
most part, from the preachers of other denominations. 

In 1827, he preached in the Christian church, in 
Portland, their pastor. Elder Band, being ill at that 
time. A deep interest among the impenitent was 
soon manifest ; many came forward for prayer, and 
Christians were revived. The revival that com- 
menced under his labors, reached other churches. 
The Spirit of Christ being manifestly present, those 
spirits opposed to him, " Cried out, saying, what 
have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God ? art 



122 THE LIFE OF 

thou come hither to torment us before the time?" 
But despite the spirit of persecution the good work 
still went on. He also preached occasionally in an 
adjoining village, to good purpose. In the latter 
place, in one of his sermons he dwelt upon the neces- 
sity of salvation through Christ, enforcing the truth, 
that by the deeds of the law no flesh " can be justi- 
fied." A gentleman of influence being present, who 
by his good works had been striving many years to 
cast up a highway to heaven, remarked to the preach- 
er, " Often have I heard that subject dwelt upon, but 
never till now, understood it, — you have made many 
sad rents in my mantle of morality." " Bless God 
for that," responded the preacher, " I am glad, for I 
want to see you clad in the robe of Christ's righteous- 
ness." The preacher's wish was gratified. 

He speaks of the conversion of Capt. Stockman, 
in Portland, with great pleasure. At one of the 
evening meetings, when the opposers of religion had 
done their best to create disturbance, the invitation 

# 

being given for the anxious to present themselves at 
the altar for prayer, the Capt. and his daughter were 
the first to press forward. The influence of his ex- 
ample did much in turning the tide of public opinion 
in the right direction. He became a Christian of 
that class whose life and property preach the power 
and excellence of redeeming grace. He has gone to 
his reward. 

Mr. Phinney wishes the following account of Rich- 
ard Relham, with whom he became acquainted in 
Portland, preserved. Mr. R. was active in tliis re- 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 123 

vival. Years before, he had been noted for crime. 
He once attempted to escape the penalty due to his 
crime by fleeing from Portland to Canada. Six men 
in pursuit overtook him, but he would have proved 
himself too much for them, and made his escape, had 
not one of them, taking advantage of him, knocked 
him down with a club. Being captured, he was, upon 
trial, sent to the State-Prison. In his lonely cell 
he gave his thoughts to the subject of religion. He 
yielded his heart to the truth. His cell became a 
heavenly place in Christ. But on his release, a trial 
of his faith awaited him. Suspected, despised and 
feared, he could find no employment. He was sus- 
pected the more for professing religion. He was 
driven almost to desperation by hunger and cold. But 
he preserved his integrity. He determined to die, 
rather than preserve his life in misery by crime. A 
man who had compassion for a fallen brother, meet- 
ing him, gave him five dollars, and, what was more, 
spoke words of true sympathy and encouragement. 
The unfortunate man persevered. Providence opened 
the way before him : he soon won the confidence of 
all who knew him : he not only obtained, by indus- 
try, a competence, but he had something to bestow 
upon the suffering. Let no one despair of salvation 
through Christ. It will visit the prisoner in his cell, 
or the prince in his palace, when sought in sincerity. 

Mr. Phinney is one of those, who " have not the 
faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with 
respect of persons." He is debtor to all. In this 
revival he visited merchants and truckmen, rich and 



124 THE LIFE OP 

poor alike, to bear them the precious gospel. " It was 
wonderful to see," says he, " the truckmen weep, as 
they expressed to me their desire to receive the 
Savior's mercy." " One day," says he, " I found a 
merchant at his counter, weeping for his sins : he in- 
vited me home with him to converse with himself and 
family. All were at length converted, and he is now 
in the ministry." 

By this revival, which, it is computed, resulted in 
the accession of eight or nine hundred members to 
the various churches, the Christian church was so 
much augmented, that their place of worship would 
no longer suffice. Disposing of it, they built the 
Casco Street church. It seems that such M^as the 
prejudice, or what else you please to call it, against 
instrumental music, that a solemn covenant was en- 
tered into never to introduce it into this church. Of 
course, some soon wanted an organ, and others were 
as much opposed to it. This circumstance, and, per- 
haps the want of Christian charity, resulted in the 
division of the church. One party built the Temple 
Street church. The other, ultimately becoming in- 
volved in debt, sold the Casco Street church to the 
F. W. Baptists. 

The former has always been an evangelical, useful 
church, notwithstanding the suspicions of some dog- 
matists, that it is either too long, or too short, for the 
iron bedstead of their own orthodoxy. In this church, 
Mr. Phinney has since labored. 

The present pastor of this church. Rev. Mr. Brown, 
wrote, a few months since, as follows : " Elder Phin- 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 152 

ney came to Portland Nov. 11th, 1836. On the eve- 
ning of the 14th, four requested prayer. For eight 
Sabbaths he preached in the morning, and attended 
many social meetings. * * * * He left 
the city the 10th of Feb. * * * On the 
4th of Jan., I found the number of converts was 
thirty-seven." 

Casco Street church is flourishing, and has every 
prospect of becoming one of the most efficient churches 
in the denomination. We shall not soon forget the 
pleasure afforded us by our visits to that church. 
This church undoubtedly passed to its present posi- 
tion owing to the acquaintance it cultivated with the 
Free-will Baptists through Mr. Phinney, in his re- 
vival labors. From his labors, too, indirectly sprung 
a valuable church in Topsham. These are only 
specimens of what might be named, as fruits in greater 
or less degree, of his labors. 

Mr. Phinney speaks in the highest terms of Elder 
Rand, who has now gone to his reward. " He was," 
says he, " a warm-hearted and trust-worthy friend, 
an humble Christian, and an excellent pastor." 

In the Fall of 1827, Mr. Phinney visited Limer- 
ick, Me., and commenced preaching with the church 
in that place, and visiting from house to house. The 
church was in a very low, tried, and discouraged con- 
dition. After preaching with them some three months, 
during which time the church was greatly revived, 
and there were signs of reformation among the un- 
converted, Mr. Phinney left, to fill appointments else- 
where, which he had previously made. The next 



126 THE LIFE OP 

evening after he left, a prayer meeting was held by 
the brethren, which was attended by a young man 
who had been deeply convicted under Mr. Phinney's 
preaching. In this meeting, he arose and acknowl- 
edged, with much emotion, that he felt the need of re- 
ligion, and was determined to seek it at the loss of all 
things. Several other young men, who had also been 
convicted under Mr. Phinney's preaching, soon united 
with him in seeking God. These soon found the 
Savior, and a most glorious and solemn revival fol- 
lowed. One or two of the converts were connected 
with the office of the Morning Star, which was then 
published in Limerick ; and meetings were held by 
the young converts in the Star office one evening in 
a week for some months. These meetings were some- 
times attended by as many as twenty-five young men, 
who had either found the Savior or were seeking 
him, and they were very solemn, powerful and re- 
freshing seasons. Of these young men, some seven 
or eight subsequently became preachers of the gos- 
pel. Among the converts were William Burr, who^ 
was employed as the printer of the Star, S. L. 
Julian, P. S. Burbank, and M. M. Smart. The three 
last named are now ordained ministers in the Free- 
will Baptist denomination. The others who became 
ministers are connected with the Congregational and 
Calvinistic Baptist churches. The revival continued 
for several months, and spread through the town, and 
into the towns adjoining. Large accessions were 
made to the Free-will Baptist, Congregationalist, and - 
Calvinistic Baptist churches. 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 127 

Some time before Mr. Phinney's removal to Buck- 
iSeld, a revival commenced in Bridgeton, under the 
labors of Elder Samuel Lewis, at that time a licensed 
preacher.* Mr. Phinney went to his help. Some 
who had passed more than their three score and ten 
years in sin, were, in this revival, brought into the 
kingdom of Christ; but, a more marked feature of it 
was, the conversion of the heads of families in middle 
life. Among those baptized, was George Whitney, 
since a useful and acceptable preacher. Subsequently, 
Mr. Phinney and Elder Joseph White, being ap- 
pointed by the Quarterly Meeting for the purpose, 
organized a church in this place. 

On their way home, Mr. Phinney heard of his 
father's death. He hastened to the house of mourn- 
ing. Elder White on this occasion delivered a very 
impressive sermon. No sooner were the sad rites, in 
honor of a beloved parent, over, than Mr. Phinney 
again entered upon his duties as an evangelist. 

He mentions that, not far from this time, he held a 
series of meetings in Sweden. Many were converted, 
most of whom joined the Methodist church. He was 
invited to this place by a gentleman of wealth, who 
had built a meeting house, and given it to the public, 
and who did not forget the wants of the preacher. 

He also mentions in this connection, a revival that 
occurred in Otisfield. In one of the social meetings 
here, he observed near him an impenitent lady, weep- 
ing. He requested her to express her wishes. " I 



* Since writing the above. Elder Lewis has gone to his reward. 



128 THE LIFE OF 

am a sinner," said she, " I want religion." He pro- 
posed a season of prayer in her behalf, and when 
about to kneel, the husband said, " Pray for me ; I 
want religion too." Their conviction was apparently 
deep, but they did not at once find peace. Mr. Phin- 
ney having been absent a few days, upon his return 
called upon them. The gentleman met him at the 
door, in great joy, exclaiming, "I've found Jesus, 
I've found Jesus." It may serve to indicate the 
change that religion produced upon this money-lover, 
for such he emphatically was before his conversion, 
to observe that he said to his visitor on this occasion : 
*' Since I saw you before, I have found out that the 
houses, lands, and money that I called mine, are the 
Lord's ; I am only his steward over these : what of 
them do you need in his service ?" " If you are the 
Lord's steward," said the preacher, " obey your Mas- 
ter." He has never forgotten to heed this instruction. 
Many deny in practice the religion they profess ; but, 
if you are of those who possess it, you are sure to 
let your "light so shine before men, that they may 
see your good works, and glorify your Father which 
is in heaven." 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 129 

CHAPTER X. 

SKETCHES OF HIS LABORS FROM 1830 TO 1842. 

In, 1830, Mr. Phinney moved to Buckfield, under 
engagement to preach half the time to the church 
there ; the other part of his time, he was to be at lib- 
erty to labor as an evangelist. Under his care, the 
church at Buckfield, it is said, was greatly refreshed; 
but no further information concerning him, as con- 
nected with that place, has been received. 

It is well here to mention that, while Mr. Phinney 
is able to trace with considerable distinctness, the 
events of his life up to this time, of those of later 
years, he is able to give only here and there one, and 
that not with the same fulness as he can those of 
earlier years. No one can regret more than the 
writer, that one of an experience so rich and varied, 
did not keep some account of his life ; but, most men 
who do hard and faithful service in this world, write 
their history in deeds alone. Both reader and writer, 
must therefore be content with such scanty accounts 
as we are able to collect. If we take these as speci- 
mens only, we may learn the spirit and bearing of the 
man, from them. Only here and there a date can be 
afforded, and some of these must be regarded only as 
approximations to the true. The first incident that 
he mentions, after his removal to Buckfield, is one 
that gave him great pain. He was engaged, in 1830, 
in a series of meetings in Phippsburgh, with two min- 
9 



130 THE LIFE OP 

isters of that place, each of a denomination different 
from that to which he belongs. It seems there ex- 
isted between these two ministers a sectarian jeal- 
ousy. However, the meetings proceeded with fair 
prospects of good. Things being in this state, one 
of them delivered a sermon, bearing somewhat against 
the denominational peculiarities of the other. Upon 
the close of his discourse, he began to invite the 
anxious to come to the altar. The other insisted 
upon a retraction on the part of the offender, but he 
refused to make any concession. In vain did Mr. 
Phinney protest, in the name of religion, against 
their sinful course : in vain did he beseech them to 
desist ; each cared much more for his denominational 
dignity, than for the cause of Christ ! Though the 
meetings continued for some days, all hope of good 
was at an end. The selfishness at bottom in these 
efforts, was too manifest to suffer them to be blessed 
in winning any souls to obedience to the great law of 
benevolence. With a sad spirit, Mr. Phinney left 
this once promising field, and labored, not without 
success, in some places adjacent. 

He next revisited Georgetown. An impression, 
favorable to religious reflection, had been made upon 
the captain and crew of a vessel, by the loss of one 
of their number, and their own very narrow escape. 
The corpse of the sailor, who was drowned, was re- 
covered, and Mr. Phinney attended the funeral. The 
captain, whose name was Oliver, and three or four other 
sea-captains, were soon after converted and baptized. 
Our preacher, by his frank and benevolent heart, and 



«l 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 131 

friendly and unassuming manner, was always a favor- 
ite among that class of generous men here alluded to. 

Here is a sort of chasm in the life of Mr. Phin- 
ney, which the writer has not been able to fill. Be- 
sides what has been said of one of his visits to Port- 
land, and what is soon to be said of another to Bangor 
and vicinity, we have been able to learn nothing of 
his labors for five or six years, extending from about 
1831 to 1837.=^ Of one thing we may be certain, that 
wherever he was, he was engaged in preaching. 

It was probably in 1836 that he visited Bangor. 
After enjoying a refreshing season with Bro. Jotham 
Parsons,t he visited the north part of the town, where 
he had some good meetings. Thence he went to 
Dover, where his labors were blessed to the conversion 
of a few persons, whom he also baptized. Here he 
was invited by the committee of a Congregationalist 
church, to preach for them a Sabbath or two, as their 
pulpit was not supplied ; but owing to the movement 
of a party in the church, much more sectarian than 
their committee, he felt it his duty to decline the in- 
vitation. He therefore, upon invitation, occupied the 
Universalist meeting house. His meetings were large 
and interesting, as above intimated. He met here 
many friends, among whom he mentions Major Whit- 
more and family. 



* Mr. Phinney thinks he visited Topsham in 1831, at which time 
he thinks there was a revival in that place. 

j-Bro. Parsons resides now in Brooklyn, N. Y. He is a zealous 
and liberal supporter of our infant cause in the city of N. Y. God 
grant that he may live to see a flourishing church in his own city. 



132 THE LIFE OP 

He next went to Sebec. Here he had the priv- 
ilege of speaking encouraging words to a young min- 
ister almost overwhelmed by trials in regard to his 
support. It seems that though the young man had 
been appointed by the Quarterly Meeting, to travel 
for its benefit, he did not receive enough to keep his 
horse shod. This is only a specimen of what more 
than one of our young men, and we might say, old, 
too, received in former times, to encourage them in 
the arduous labors of the ministry. On this occa- 
sion, Mr. Phinney attempted to teach some of the 
brethren who possessed their thousands their duty 
toward the preacher whom they had sent forth to visit 
the churches of the Quarterly Meeting. To one he 
said, " What do you mean by letting that young man 
suffer so ? Here you have your thousands ; your 
sons, too, are making thirty dollars a month ; the 
young minister could do as well, and yet, you send 
him off on your business, saying to him, * be warmed 
and fed ;' your blessings are good enough in their 
place, but a starving man must have food ; if I find 
any body poorer than every body else, I take him to 
be one of your preachers, and I am never mistaken." 

He observes that though this man began by giv" 
ing, as he called it, a single shilling to his minister, 
it still was the turning point with the giver, as it pre- 
' pared him to apprehend his duty more fully. Thus 
by private conversation with thoae who began their 
religious life with false ideas in regard to the support 
of the ministry, has Mr. Phinney opened the eyes of 
many. His work in this direction has been all the 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 133 

more successful, because he knows so well how to ex- 
ercise the charity that hopeth all things, even from 
those laboring under the most destructive of all preju- 
dices. It is a matter of devout thanksgiving, that the 
prejudice alluded to, is so rapidly passing away. 

Perhaps it was during this visit that he attended a 
Yearly Meeting in the Sandy River country, that he 
speaks of attending about this time, where he met 
Elders Burbank and Lamb ; and where, also, he re- 
ceived some valuable donations for Parsonsfield Sem- 
inary. Of this tour he says, " It was profitable to 
me in experience, and, if at any time I had occasion 
to use the lash, I tried to dip it first in love." 

In the Spring of 1837, he was called to Topsham, 
in consequence of the death of Elder George Lamb, 
pastor of that church. This excellent minister, whose 
" praise is in all the churches," was called away very 
unexpectedly. " There was great lamentation over 
him by God's people," says Mr. Phinney. It would 
seem that scarce any man of higher promise has 
arisen in the denomination, than Elder George Lamb. 
Of great natural endowments, — of deep, enlightened, 
and well balanced piety, — of a sweet and conciliating 
spirit, he exerted an influence for great good upon 
the people of his choice. Though cut off in a mo- 
ment, in middle life, Ms injluence still lasts. 

The following letter from the present worthy pas- 
tor of the church in Topsham, gives some particulars 
concerning the revival there the spring following Eld. 
Lamb's death. 

"In the Spring of 1837, following the Winter of 



134: THE LIFE OF 

Elder Lamb's death, there was a gracious manifesta- 
tion of God's work in the church in Topsham. A 
mighty voice, though silent, had been speaking since 
the death of this devoted pastor, — now in glory. This 
Spring, Elder Phinney went to Topsham, and contin- 
ued three months with the people. Near the com- 
mencement of his labors, a meeting was held in a 
private house, and, under the sermon preached, a 
mate of a vessel, just returned from sea, was cut to 
the heart, and was subsequently converted. This 
was the first-fruits of the revival. Many others were 
gathered during its progress. Children were raised 
up to perfect praise. Juvenile meetings were held. 
Even in the public meeting, these spoke and prayed, 
with great power and effect : — the infant was truly 
* a hundred years old.' They filled the congrega- 
tion with wonder, and hardly could the hosannas of 
infant tongues be hushed, for the older saints to offer 
their praise." 

After the w^ork had been in progress about twelve 
weeks, he recommended Elder Daniel Jackson, of 
Waterville, as pastor of the church. He came be- 
fore the Lord, and delivered his charge into the hands 
of Elder Jackson, and prayed that the affection of the 
converts might be transferred to their prospective pas- 
tor, and left many of the converts for him to baptize. 
In his own words, " I prayed God to hand them over 
to Elder Jackson." Such was his noble principle in 
relation to the rights of others, and the well-being of 
all, as exemplified in other places. 

In the following June, (1837,) a protracted meet- 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 135 

ing commenced in Brunswick, under the auspices of 
Elders Phinney and Rollins. The Calvinistic Bap- 
tists, Methodists, and Congregationalists, united with 
the Free-will Baptists, in conducting this meeting. 
More than one hundred were converted in the revival 
that followed. A sea-captain of influence, kind, and 
moral, though a stranger to Christ, was among the 
hearers. One day, at the close of the sermon, his 
wife arose and said, " Here sits my poor husband, with- 
out religion ! I have these many years prayed for 
him ! Christian friends, pray for him !" Conviction 
fastened upon his mind ; he was soon rejoicing in the 
mercy of Christ. Five others, of the same calling, 
were converted in this revival. Henry Merritt, of 
Brunswick, says he finds in his Diary the following 
record : 

" August 20, 1837. Almost every Sabbath since 
June 30, there has been a baptism. I deem it worthy 
of remark, that in five of the principal baptisms, the 
company has been lead by a sea-captain, Otis, Mer- 
ritt, Snow, Sylvester, and Clark." One of those 
named above, had, like many others, made the differ- 
ences that exist between different denominations of 
Christians, an excuse for treating the Savior with 
neglect. He attended this meeting, and saw Chris- 
tians of various names, all laboring together in good 
faith, and rejoicing in their common Lord. His ex- 
cuse w^as gone. He said to one who knew the excuse 
he was accustomed to make, " / am takeji" His wife 
was also converted, and baptized. 



136 THE LIFE OF 

In this revival, prayers in behalf of friends were 
frequently requested. This practice, though often 
abused, was, in almost every case, followed by the 
conversion of those made the subject of special prayer. 
One morning, prayer was requested for a man and his 
wife, neither of whom had attended meetings of wor- 
ship for years. Some were shocked at such rash- 
ness ; others believed that grayer avails with God. 
The same day, that husband said to his wife, as if in 
derision of religion, "They are making Christians 
down at the meeting house." She expressed a wish 
to attend the meeting. He consented, and both were 
there before night. Scarcely had they entered the 
house, before they were deeply convicted. In a day 
or two, both were rejoicing in Christ's delivering 
grace. Mr. Phinney remarks, that when his labors 
closed in this revival, his temporal wants were very 
liberally supplied, but it is scarcely necessary to men- 
tion this, after what has been said relative to the con- 
version of " Those who go down to the sea in ships, 
that do business in great waters." Pie adds, " It was 
very affecting to see those weather-beaten men M^eep 
in those meetings, like children." 

In February, 1840, we find Mr. Phinney in Tops- 
ham again, engaged in a revival, which resulted in 
another in Brunswick. In relation to these revivals, 
Mr. Fernald says : " Elder Phinney visited Tops- 
ham again, in 1840, and was associated in another 
revival with Elder Jackson, pastor of the church. 
This revival was quite general among the evangelical 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 137 

churches of the place. Eighty-eight joined the Free- 
will Baptist Communion. The meetings continued 
during ninety evenings. Many children were the 
subjects of the revival also." In relation to the same 
revival, we copy a few remarks from the Diary of 
captain Merritt. He says, under date of February 
27, 1840: "A protracted meeting commenced in 
Topsham in December last. Father Phinney is there 
in his glory, and sinners are inquiring of him by 
scores, what thev must do to be saved." Under date 
of March 8, of the same year, he says, " The refor- 
mation continues in Topsham ; God grant it may 
cross over our Jordan, that Brunswick may share 
largely in it." The Diary reads, " March 19, 1840, 
2 P. M., protracted meeting commenced in this 
place, — Elders Rollins and Phinney, — with prospects 
good. 

Saturday, March 28, '40, commences, AYind south, 
warm, for the season. Snow nearly all gone. Ex- 
tremely bad travelling, but good times — in midst of 
reformation. The oxen are yoked, and people are 
flocking to the house of God by sled-loads — starving 
for the AVord. 

Friday, April 3, '40. Extremely bad travelling. 
Meetings are well attended, and a powerful reforma- 
tion is progressing. 

Sunday, April 5. Thirteen baptized and joined 
the church, most of whom are heads of families. 

Sunday, 12. Thirteen related their experience 
yesterday, and are candidates for baptism. 



138 THE LIFE OF 

Sunday, 19. A fine day. Thirty-seven were bap- 
tized to-day, near the meeting house, of both sexes, 
of all ages between eighteen and forty. 

May o. A baptism. Seventy-eight, thus far, 
added to IGl, our former number, makes 239, our 
present number. 

Aug. 10. Have taken a collection for Bro. Phin- 
iiey, who has been laboring with us throughout our 
revival, and, we trust, he has been instrumental in do- 
ing much good. Notwithstanding the extremely bad 
travelling, and dark, stormy nights, and his great in- 
firmities, for seventeen days and nights in succession, 
Bro. Phinney was constantly at his post, and alone. 
May God reward him for his labors of love." 

Previous to the revivals above described, near the 
close of the year 1838 a Quarterly Meeting was 
held in Harrison. "It was," says Mr. Phinney, 
" a dragging meeting. Preachers and brethren of 
different denominations who attended, requested that 
the meeting might be protracted, promising their 
assistance.' For several days, all was discourage- 
ment, but at length the reformation cloud drew nigh. 
Backsliders were reclaimed, and the impenitent re- 
quested prayers. The interest continued to increase. 
The meeting was moved to the Methodist meeting 
house, in the south part of the town. At this time 
I reached the place. When I entered the meeting, I 
heard them confessing their sins, — their quarrels, 
their hard speeches, their cheating in buying and 
selling. The work went on gloriously, until nearly 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 139 

all, in that part of the town, were converted. Then 
we thought it best to move the meeting to Bridgeton, 
the town west. Here, one meeting begins in the 
Congregationalist meeting house, and another in the 
Free-will Baptist, for one house would not contain 
aU. It was my lot to remain at the Congregational 
house. The good work began in both houses. The 
stoutest hearts, and false doctrines, bowed before the 
power of the Cross. The temperate and intemperate 
confessed their sins. It was wonderful to hear the 
old drunkard, and others of vicious habits, praising 
God." Next, he was invited to "VYaterford, by the 
Congregational minister, who had invited another 
minister of a different denomination, to unite with 
him in the responsibilities and labors of a protracted 
meeting. The latter refused to have anything to do 
with it. The former proceeded. " When I arrived," 
says Mr. Phinney, " the minister with whom I was 
to labor, said that a large and anxious congregation 
would be in attendance, ' but,' said he, ' we here, be- 
fore God, are in a poor condition. "VVe have great 
difficulties, arising from building a new meeting house, 
and leaving an old one. Two parties have thus arisen, 
and their strife against each other is warm. Those 
who do not take either side, are greatly grieved. I 
am afraid that a great many of my church never had 
any religion.' Well, sir, I said, I have a never- 
failing Bible-medicine for all such ailings. ' Confess 
your faults, one to another, and pray one for another, 
that ye may be healed.' This medicine has never 
failed, and it never can. *Well,' said he, ^ you are 



140 THE LIFE OP 

an old hand in reformations, I will give all up to 

you.' " 

Sometimes, the minister who would do good service 
in his calling, is to be entirely silent, and even, so far 
as possible, to ignore all strife or differences among 
his hearers. But not so always. There are times in 
which he can hope to accomplish no good, until these 
are attended to directly, and their cause removed. 
However disagreeable, it must he do7ie, or all is lost ! 
Our preacher judged the present to be a desperate 
case. When he arose to preach, " Brethren," said 
he, "I have come to bring you some Bible -medicine, 
for I understand you are sick. ' Confess your faults 
one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may 
be healed.' Not a word here about murder, high- 
way-robbery, theft, or anything of the like. It may- 
be about minor offences, faults, — -faults, just such as 
you have here about your meeting houses ! Now, 
nothing can be done toward curing you, until these 
are all confessed ; but, remember, brethren, God does 
not tell you to confess each other's faults I This is 
the difficulty in your case. You are all forward to 
confess each other's faults. Now, reverse this. Be- 
gin to confess your own faults, one to another ! Con- 
fess your OWN faults, not your brother's /" He affec- 
tionately urged them to their duty, in a few additional 
sentences, and then took his seat, A physician im- 
mediately arose, with tearful eyes, and bore witness 
to the truth. " Sir," said he, addressing his pastor. 
" sir, I have been out of the way. I have lost my 
interest in religion. 1 have often come here to sleep, 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 141 

rather than to listen to the word of God ! Forgive 
me /" " Don't confess to me," said the pastor, " I 
have need, rather, to confess to you ! My preaching 
has not had life enough in it, to keep any one awake. 
I want you, and all my congregation, to forgive me." 
Next, a lady arose, and, calling another by name, 
said, "It is well known I have used many hard 
speeches toward you, I have been in the wrong, — for- 
give me !" " / have been most to blame," said the 
other, " can you forgive itie ?" A physician, next, of 
another church, addressing one of the deacons of the 
Congregationalist church, confessed that he had held 
a sectarian hardness against him, and had not, in 
many other respects, acted the part of a Christian. 
" ! sir," said the deacon, " I have abused you, how 
can you confess to me ? Forgive me !" Thus they 
continued to "confess one to another," until all their 
trials in regard to their meeting house were settled. 
Only one serious difficulty now remained in the 
church, and that, a family quarrel. The pastor in- 
vited the parties, and Mr. Phinney, to his house. 
The case was stated. One of the party, an aged 
mother, began, " O ! how I have been abused ! You 

would not blame " Be still," said our preacher, 

" he still, I tell you ; you are confessing the faults of 
others. You must confess your own I" At this point, 
her son approached her, and confessed to her that 
he had done wrong, that he had not treated her as 
a son should, and, moreover, concluded by saying, 
" Mother, will you forgive me ?" The mother re- 
plied with a reluctant " Yes !" Next, the son's wife 



142 THE LIFE OF 

confessed to tlie mother-in-law, and with tears begged 
her forgiveness. The old lady, a little moved, replied, 
rather coolly, however, " I forgive you." Last of all, 
came the other mother-in-law, confessing and begging 
forgiveness. The heart of the other, by this time, 
was quite soft, but she had not fully complied with 
the text. " Are you now ready," said Mr. Phinney, 
" to confess your faults ?" " Yes," said she, " I have 
done wrong ; I am the cause of all these trials." The 
church was now prepared to labor for the good of the 
impenitent. 

After a short sermon in the afternoon, the impeni- 
tent were invited to come forward for prayer. Many 
accepted, and among them was one known as an infi- 
del, who said, " Though I have had many doubts as 
ta the truth of the Christian religion, my doubts are 
now entirely gone ; the humble confessions this morn- 
ing, were not of man." Not only were sinners con- 
verted, but the minister came to the conclusion that 
he had many Christians in his church. 

This meeting was greatly injured in its influence 
by changing the place. The minister who at first re- 
fused to have anything to do with it, became anxious 
to have the meeting in his own church. " To prevent 
hard speeches," says Mr. Phinney, "we complied 
with his wishes, but in attempting to avoid one evil, 
we fell into another far worse ; the minister we tried 
to please, got a hardness against the one I was labor- 
ing with, and in trying to settle their difference, an 
occasion was given to gainsayers to say that the min- 
isters had not religion enough to keep them from 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 143 

quarrelling." He remarked in this connection, that, 
so far as his experience goes, it is always a bad thing 
to change the place of meeting during the progress 
of a revival. 

He then visited Bethel, Lovell, Fryeburgh, Nor- 
way, and two or three other towns, in all of which 
he was permitted to see sinners turn to the Lord. In 
these places, he preached mostly in Congregationalist 
churches. In Fryeburgh, at the close of a meeting, 
in which he enjoyed great liberty, a young lawyer 
was found in a condition so paralyzed as to excite 
the worst fears of his friends. These merely phys- 
ical phenomena, soon pass away, but sometimes they 
serve as a transition point, so to say, to the character. 
Perhaps it was so in this case. 

In one of these places, a lady requested the privilege 
of kneeling at the altar, and confessing to the congrega- 
tion her manifold transgressions. Mr. Phinney, per- 
ceiving that owing to the intense excitement, her mind 
was in danger of becoming unbalanced, assured her 
that the will would be taken for the deed. Caution is 
to be exercised in such cases, or sad results are suf- 
fered. The feelings must not be left without control. 

The revival which we have here noticed, was very 
extensive, reaching several towns not named. It 
was supposed that in it were converted a thousand 
souls, that united with different denominations. 

We might have mentioned on a previous page, 
that he was engaged, probably in 1838, in a revival in 
Lewiston. " Other brethren," says he, " were engaged 



144 THE LIFE OF 

with me. One day, after remarkable liberty in preach- 
ing, for me, I went down to the altar, to beat up for 
volunteers. Soon, a colonel, away back in one corner, 
arose and said, * Sir, I accept your invitation. You 
may think strange, my friends, to see me here ; but 
for many years, I have at times sought for religion ; 
in secret places I have prayed and wept, and then, 
drying my tears, I have come back to act the hypo- 
crite — to pretend I cared nothing about religion. But 
I am now determined to seek God consistently. My 
friends, follow me.' He then came forward, and 
with him, young men enough to fill six or eight pews. 
I continued to exhort till more than one hundred 
came forward for prayer. Not long after, perhaps 
the next day, the colonel found liberty. When he 
returned to his family, he said to his wife, ' AYe have 
lived long enough as heathen ; let us hereafter serve 
God.' Many others were converted, whom I left in 
the care of my fellow-laborers." 

Not long after this, he thinks he went to Phipps- 
burgh, where he enjoyed a good season ; he went to 
Georgetown next. In one or the other of these 
places. Elder J. Fuller was engaged with him, and 
perhaps also in Westport, to which place he went 
soon after. " Here," he says, " we found the breth- 
ren laboring with a prospect of good ; but there was 
no breaking away. I exhorted them to greater ear- 
nestness. They were great tobacco-users. No decent 
person would dare to kneel on the floor of their meet- 
ing house. I exhorted them to cleanse the house, 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 145 

and pulpit, for that was stained also. After that was 
done, the meeting began again, and we invited sin- 
ners forward. A goodly number were converted." 

" Then I went to assist Bro. Page, of Edgecomb. 
On my way I met him coming after me. We had a 
good work in Edgecomb, and then I went to Booth- 
bay. In this place, the Free-will Baptists and Meth- 
odists had united to carry forward a protracted meet- 
ing. We invited the Congregationalists to join us. 
At first, they refused, but after a little, their minister 
called upon me. I exhorted him to come. I told 
him the reformation cloud was gathering about us^ 
and the people leaving him. He said he would be 
glad to, but some of his leading members were too 
rigid to consent. But they at length consented and 
joined in the meeting. I preached a sermon on 
Christian union, and their member most opposed to 
the movement, bore witness to its truth, and invited 
me home with him. We labored together in love ; 
the meetings were full, and the Savior with us." 

During the time over which thie chapter extends, 
he visited Bath, where his labors were greatly blessed. 
" A reformation," says he, " had broken out among the 
Methodists in that village, for it was not then a city ; 
the stoutest hearts came forward for prayer, but for 
reasons not necessary to state, a division arose — a 
part went to the Town Hall to hold their meeting — 
this party united with the scattering F. W. Baptists 
in the place. They sent for Elder Hathorn and my- 
self to come and labor with them. The result was,. 
10 



146 THE LIFE OF 

the organization of a church there. May it continue 
to prosper." 

Since writing the above, he writes, " In 1839 — 1840, 
I visited Phippsburgh, Westport, Edgecomb, Booth- 
bay, Georgetown, Bath and Falmouth." This is in 
reference to the revivals already noticed. He also 
sends the following note in regard to some of his 
labors in 1841 : 

" I attended the Farmington Quarterly Meeting, 
held at Vienna, Kennebec Co., the second Wednes- 
day and Thursday in Dec, 1841. After the close of 
the meeting, tarried several days in compliance with 
brother Edgecomb's request, and held afternoon and 
evening meetings, during which, a number of back- 
sliders were reclaimed, and some sinners hopefully 
converted. From there I went to New Sharon, a beau- 
tiful town situated on the Sandy river, in Franklin 
Co. With the second church in this town brother 
Edgecomb had labored with good success half the 
time for three years ; the church, which was in a 
very low state when he commenced laboring with 
them, had been built up, large numbers added, a house 
of worship erected, and, in short, God's abundant 
blessing had followed his labors. But now, he had 
decided to leave them, and as they had no pastor, he 
wished me to go and preach to them on the Sabbath, 
and in case they might desire it, hold a series of meet- 
ings. I accordingly tarried more than two weeks, 
preaching every afternoon, and attending prayer 
meetings in the evening. God's Spirit was poured 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 147 

out, and numbers rejoiced in the hope of the gospel. 
Between twenty and thirty were reclaimed and con- 
verted, among whom were some who for years had 
been hardened Universalists, one, an old man, I am 
told by one of his neighbors, has maintained a life of 
prayer ever since. 

During this time the brethren had engaged the la- 
bors of brother Caleb M. Sewall, of Chesterville. I 
then visited the fourth church, in the north part of 
the town, at Weeks' Mills, and witnessed a good re- 
vival there. C. P." 

In 1842, he again visited Richmond, where his la- 
bors were blessed to the conversion of sinners ; but, 
owing to certain circumstances, not proper to publish 
at so early a day, his visit this time did not result so 
pleasantly as the one previously described. It should 
be observed, that some also were converted in Litch- 
field at this time. Relative to this vifiit to these 
towns, we have gathered some interesting particulars, 
which hereafter may be given to the public 



148 THE LIFE OF 



, CHAPTER XI. 

MR. PHINNET AS A PREACHER. 

Much that has been said in the preceding chap- 
ters, incidentally illustrates to such an extent the 
character of Mr. Phinney as a preacher, that only a 
few words need be added here. His success in win- 
ning souls to Christ, is owing to what many regard 
as a very humble talent. According to their standard, 
they would give him credit for very little genius. His 
success, it is true, is not to be attributed to what is 
called onginality of thought, profound reasoning, nor 
to eloquence ; but rather to the power of causing his 
hearers to feel deeply that which they already know. 
Call this talent by any name you please, but concede 
it to him in large measure and you have the truth. 

He is not a man of books. His heart has rich ex- 
perience, however, in the glorious realities revealed 
for the godly man in the Book of books. He speaks 
of them as things he sees and knows. His illustra- 
tions he draws from the world in which he lives. In 
his delivery, he does not try to be natural, but what 
is a thousand times better, he is natural. The fol- 
lowing paragraph, which the writer cut from the Port- 
land Argus more than a year ago, is in point here, 
and alludes in a happy manner to Mr. Phinney's style 
of preaching : 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 149 

"Elder Clement Phinnet. — This venerable 
father in the gospel preached at the Methodist Church 
in Chestnut Street on Sunday afternoon last. He is 
now quite infirm, but in his pulpit efforts as unique, 
and interesting and cheerful as ever. He is a warm- 
hearted man, devoted to the cause, and never fails to 
keep wide awake himself, and to keep his audience 
so. His fund of anecdote and incidents of his long 
life as a preacher, is inexhaustible, and he draws upon 
it in such a manner as to interest both old and young. 
We saw the tears stealing down the cheeks of many 
faces, that tried hard to conceal the telltale of their 
feelings. The Elder has the true key to the best 
feelings of the human heart. May his descent to the 
grave be gentle and happy." 

In his preaching, he never fails to draw largely 
from the " fund of anecdote and incidents," of which 
the Argus speaks. Though his anecdotes, almost 
without exception, are to the point, and well-timed, 
there is much in his manner of relating them. No 
matter how often you hear them, they produce their 
effect. "When I resided in Monmouth, Me., in 1833/' 
says Bro. Curtis, of Roxbury, Mass., " I sent for Bro. 
Phinney to come and attend a Quarterly Meeting 
held in that place. He came and preached two ser- 
mons that produced considerable effect upon the con- 
gregation. In about two years from that time he 
attended a Quarterly Meeting in the same place, and 
preached two sermons from the same texts that he 
employed before. When he commenced preaching, 
and began to relate the same anecdotes he did before, 



150 THE LIFE OF 

— anecdotes which I had often heard him relate — I 
thought I would look round upon the congregation, 
and see if his preaching produced any effect. I saw 
a great portion of the congregation bathed in tears, 
and soon, to my astonishment, I found myself weep- 
ing with the rest." 

Once he was preaching upon the excuses which the 
sinner makes to his own conscience for neglecting the 
calls of the Savior. He followed the sinner from 
refuge to refuge, revealing the groundless hopes he 
entertains for his security. He pressed the truth 
more and more closely. At length, one of the hear- 
ers springing upon his feet, exclaimed, " Good God ! 
I can tind no hiding place ; you have found me." 

Some young preacher may wish to know how he 
prepared his sermons. The following incident will 
afford a clew to his method : He was at a Quarterly 
or Yearly Meeting. The audience was very large, 
and he was expected to preach. " It lacked," says 
he, " but an hour of the time. My mind was uncom- 
monly baiTen. I had neither text nor subject. I 
began to be alarmed. I went to a grove to ask my 
Father for a message. He assured me I should have 
one. When I was returning, I saw a fly, busy suck- 
ing at some sweet substance. I stopped to study. 
Soon a spider came out cautiously from its lurking 
place, and threw its web over the left wing of the 
fly. The fly felt it, and fluttered its wing a little at 
first, but was soon still, and kept on eating. When 
the left wing was well secured, the spider began to 
fasten the other in the same way. Again the fly flut- 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 151 

tered, but kept on eating, and was soon at rest. I 
was on the point of killing tlie spider, but something 
told me to let it alone — if the fly would not escape 
while it could, it deserved to die. Soon the right 
wing was fast. The spider then rushed upon the fly ; 
it attempted to escape, but in vain ; the spider killed 
it, and dragged it off to its house. ^ Bless God,' said 
I, ' for this message ; sinners cling to their pleasures 
while the devil is throwing chain after chain around 
them. I will go and tell them what the enemy is 
doing, and warn them in the name of God to escape 
while they can break his chains.' I went and told my 
story. God's power was in it. Sinners all over the 
house wept aloud, and many of them fled to Christ." 
It is a source of regret that some of the sermons 
he delivered in the prime of his life were not reported, 
if, indeed, such sermons can be reported. But we 
cannot avail ourselves of such. The best we can do, 
is, to give the following, which a friend has kindly 
furnished. This is a good specimen of his sermons 
at present, so far as can be reported, but the reader 
must remember the difficulty of representing on paper 
what such a preacher delivers. 

SERMON, 

Preached in the Roger Williains Church, Providence, R. /., 
JVov. 24, 1850, by Clement Phinney. 

REPORTED BY ELI NOTES. 

Text — Luke 10:42. But one thing is needful : and Mary hath chosen 
that good part which shall not be taken away from her. 

These words, to me, are weigJdy. They are the 
words of the Savior, when he was here on earth. 



152 THE LIFE OF 

At this time, he was in the place where Martha lived, 
who had received him into her house. Mary, her 
sister, was sitting at the Savior's feet, hearing his 
words. Martha, it appears, became jealous, as all 
worldly minded professors are apt to be, and she says 
to the Savior, " Don't you care for me. Master ?" 

Now, the Savior knew well what was the state of 
mind of his poor erring daughter, and knew that it 
was important for her to improve this occasion. The 
Lord Jesus was not there every day. So he calls 
upon her in language that waked her up, " Maitha ! 
Martha ! ! thou art careful and troubled about many 
things : but one thing is needful, and Mary hath 
chosen that good part which shall not be taken away 
from her." — These little children, when their names 
are repeated, know that something is out of order, 
so Martha must have known that her conduct had not 
been exactly right. Jesus did not mean to be under- 
stood that the things of this world were not needful 
in their place, but he meant to let her know that one 
thing was more needful than all the rest — Mary had 
made choice of this one thing. She had chosen to 
sit at her Savior's feet, and to hear his words. She 
had doubtless investigated the subject before she made 
choice of this one thing needful. She had looked 
the matter all over, and had come to the conclusion, 
that religion was more important than all the things 
of earth. 

But some will say that none but females and old 
people — the weak minded — make choice of religion. 
The infidel says it is altogether beneath me to choose 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 153 

religion. But remember that there are as giant 
minds as ever existed, who have preferred religion to 
all things else. There is Isaiah, that flaming old 
prophet, who, with his prophetic glass, looked down 
to this day of the Savior, 'and his good old heart got 
so animated with the value of this one thing needful, 
that he cried out, from the fulness of his soul, " Ho 
every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters : and 
he that hath no money ; come ye, buy and eat ; yea, 
come, buy wine and milk, without money and without 
price." — Ah ! Martha, with all her carefulness, could 
never prepare a feast like this. 

And there, too, is Moses, who, when he was of age, 
chose the one thing needful. There was, in fact, 
something very remarkable in him from his very 
birth. His mother saw that he was a goodly child, and 
lest he should be murdered by that cruel old slave- 
holder, Pharaoh, she hid him three months, and then, 
finding she could hide him no longer, she made an 
ark of bulrushes, and having put him in it, she laid 
it in the flags by the river's brink. Now, who should 
first come down to the water but Pharaoh's daughter, 
and as she and her maids were strolling about, she 
saw this curious thing — a very curious thing for a 
slave to make ; and so she sent her maid, who brought 
it to her. When she opened the ark, she saw a babe 
there, and the babe began to weep. This excited the 
compassion of the king's daughter, and she determined 
to adopt him on the spot. I will call him Moses, 
said she, for he was drawn out of the water. She 
supposed him to be one of the Hebrew children. 



154 THE LIFE OF 

Now, Moses' sister, who had been standing, watching, 
asked if she might go and call a nurse of the He- 
brew women, and she was told to go. She now 
tripped along to the door of the child's own mother ; 
and glad enough was the mother to become the nurse 
of her own child. O, bless God ! what a rod is pre- 
paring for old Pharaoh's back. — Said the king's 
daughter, " I have found a babe, and if you will nurse 
him, I will pay you wages ;" and I have no doubt that a 
handsome sum was paid out for nursing the child. 
Now, hear, young gentlemen ! This Moses was 
brought up at the king's court, in all the learning of 
the Egyptians. When a young man, walking about 
the streets, it would be said of him, this is the king's 
grandson ; and who knows but that such an ambitious 
little fellow might look forward to the sceptre and 
crown of his old grandfather. But now, mark you : 
when Moses came to be of age, he refused to be 
called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing to 
suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than 
enjoy the ' pleasures of sin for a season. Now, you 
see, this great Moses put all the afflictions which he 
knew the people of God must suffer, with the recom- 
pense of reward, into one of the scales, and all the 
pleasures, and even the crown and sceptre of Egypt, 
into the other, and up went the beam that contained 
the pleasures of the world. "Well, Moses, which weighs 
the most ? which will you choose ? "0 the recom- 
pense of reward, with all the afflictions." He chose 
that, and he went through with the afflictions like a 
hero. Now, friends, we must, like Moses, look this sub- 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 155 

ject over, and count the cost. What will be taken 
away, if we choose the one thing needful ? 

In the first place, let us look at the things of this 
earth. O how many beautiful things in this city ! 
Its fine buildings and streets, and its wealth ! But, 
have riches never been taken away ? O what heart- 
rending scenes I have witnessed ! I once met a man 
who had been a rich merchant in the city of Port- 
land. He took me by the hand and said, " How do 
you do, Elder T How do you do, dear ? "01 have 
lost my all. When you was here in Portland, en- 
gaged in a revival, I was worth my thousands ; but 
now all is gone, except the family organ on which my 
daughter used to play, to cheer me when my mind 
was harrassed and confused with cares and business." 
Ah ! dear, said I, you should get something that can- 
not be taken away. I called to see his poor wife, and 
O what a time I had with her. Tears rolled down 
her cheeks as she said, " I have to resort to my needle 
again, for a living." Thus it is, dear friends. There 
are those who think their mountain strong as Gibral- 
ter, who fall from a state of wealth into a state of the 
most distressing poverty. Ah ! I have seen the fine 
carpet done up, and the elegant furniture sent off to 
the auction. — So insecure are men in the possession 
of wealth. 

And what more may be taken away from us ? Honor 
may be taken from us — O, how taken are many with 
the honors of this world ! — A letter comes from the 
office, bearing a title of honor upon it — how gratify- 
mg to the feelings ! But, alas, how vain and fading 



156 THE LIFE OP 

are honors ! See the great Bonaparte, as he goes 
forward with his conquests. Why, when I was young, 
it used to make my blood boil to hear of his exploits. 
The sound of his approach would make nations trem- 
ble. But see him after the battle of Waterloo, dis- 
appointed, and brought low. Here, his worldly honor 
begins to wane, until we find him confined on the 
island of St. Helena. A few years ago, my two sons, 
with a large ship's crew visited his grave. As they 
stood by its side, over which waved the weeping wil- 
low, they said within themselves, this is the grave of 
the great Bonaparte ; and here is the end of earthly 
greatness. Who that witnesses the fall of such great- 
ness will not adopt the language of the poet, and say; 

"Farewell honor, empty pride, 
Thy own nice uncertain gnst, 
If the least mischance betide, 

Lays thee lower than the dust ; 
Worldly honors end in gall, 
Rise to-day, to-morrow fall." 

These words would be an appropriate epitaph for 
Bonaparte's tomb-stone. 

O how strange are the ideas of some men of the 
value of worldly honors. A Brigadier General, under 
whom I used to train, said in regard to a Congress- 
man who had changed his politics, " If that man had 
not changed his sentiments, he. might have had a 
handsome inscription on his grave-stone. How blind, 
to suppose such an inscription would have done him 
any good. 

And what else may be taken away, if we choose 
the one thing needful ? Our friends may be taken 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 157 

from us,— O how happy I have seen parents with 
their dear little children. — Can this group be broken 
up ? O, yes ; death enters the family circle, and sad 
changes are made. How often I have seen the hus- 
band weeping the loss of an affectionate wife, and the 
wife weeping over the remains of a kind husband. 
I have seen, too, the little children flock around the 
bed of a dear mother. So it was with the little ones 
of my eldest daughter. They came around the bed 
of their dying mother, crying as though their hearts 
would break. " We cannot give you up," said they. 
" O yes," said their mother, " I am going to heaven, 
and you must give your mother up." Death had 
come to take her away, and he could not be denied. 

Mother ! that rosy-cheeked daughter of yours, be- 
fore six months, may fade and die. Father ! that 
noble son, in whom you place so many hopes, may 
soon be in his grave. I once put up at the house of 
an old brother, where I had often visited. When I 
arrived at the door, they came running out, glad to 
see me. We went into the house, and soon we were 
seated at the table. I observed that the place of one son 
was vacant, and I inquired, where is Edmund ? The 
mother dropped her knife and fork, her countenance 
fell, and the tears dropped from her eyes. " Ah !" 
said she, "have you not heard of Edmund? Oh! 
Edmund, our dear Edmund, upon whom we depended 
for support in our declining years, went out from us 
with his team, and within 20 hours from the time, was 
brought home a corpse. His body now lies in the 
family burying ground." what is death doing in 



158 THE LIFE OP 

our world ! Thus one goes after another. How often 
I visit a family from which a member has been taken 
away, — I see the hat he wore, and the farming uten- 
sils he used, but his body lies in the grave. We are 
all hasting onward to our final home. Some youth 
may ask, why, old man, those withered cheeks, those 
grey hairs, and crippled limbs ? Why go hobbling 
about these streets with your cane ? Ah ! the iron 
tooth of time is doing up its work, and I shall soon 
be gone. 

Go to that grave-yard, and you will find graves of 
all lengths. Now, as your friends may be taken 
away, how important to choose what will not be taken 
away. 

But for whom is this one thing needful? The 
youth are apt to say, " It is needful for you, old 
preacher, and for grandfather and grandmother, but 
not for those as young as we are. But religion is of 
the greatest importance to youth. Parents, what is 
to become of your children who are leaving home ? 
Many such children feel quite strong in themselves, 
but, ah ! daughter, though you have a good educa- 
tion, there are many things you do not know. You 
need religion to keep you from the thousand snares 
that are laid for you. Perhaps you will first be in- 
vited, by some blackleg, to go to the museum, and 
from this alphabet of the devil's kingdom, you will go 
on to ruin. I knew a beautiful female, 18 years of 
age, who went to live in one of our large factory 
towns, who was thus led away ; and her mother after- 
wards found her in a house of ill-fame. — Oh, how must 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 159 

that mother have felt as her poor erring daughter 
fell down before her, and said, " If I had only got 
religion before I left home, I should not have come 
to this place." Take warning, young ladies, and re- 
member the words of this old man when he is gone. 

How many young men, too, who have left the pa- 
rental roof, have been led away, until sin has proved 
their ruin ! There is Robinson and his Helen Jew- 
ett, and many others like them — gone down to death, 
and their beauty with them. 

But look at the other side. I once called upon a 
sister, and asked her, where is your son ? She re- 
plied that he was in the West, and she had just re- 
ceived a letter from him. So away she tripped with 
a light heart, and sparkling eye, to get it. The son 
said in his letter, " Mother, I have got into a place 
where there is no Sabbath, except what I keep my- 
self; but on Sunday I read the Bible you gave me 
when I left home, and pray. I try to keep up my 
religion, and religion keeps me." 

Business men, you need this one thing needful. 
It keeps men in every time of danger. You are not 
able to conduct the business of this great city, with- 
out religion. Parents, you need it to enable you to 
guide your little obstinate children. Father, what 
will you do in bringing up that little boy, unless you 
have religion to enable you to govern him ? Mother, 
you can never manage that bright little daughter as 
you should, without religion. 

And O, it is needful for the aged. What sight is 
more beautiful than to see old grandfathers coming to 



160 THE LIFE OP 

the house, and the flock of little children leaping out 
and seizing him by his hands and his garments, and 
he placing his trembling hand on their little heads 
and pronouncing blessings in the name of his God. 
Never shall I forget the prayers of my godly old 
grandfather, as he placed his dear old hand upon my 
head, when I was a child. 

Dear aged friends, what shall you and I do as our 
eye grows dim, our ear deaf, our feeling benumbed, 
unless we have religion ? O, may we, like good old 
Jacob, be waiting for the salvation of God. 

The President of the United States needs this one 
thing. Were he here I would tell him so. Ah ! we 
want such men for rulers as we had in our first Na- 
tional Congress. Once when they got into great dif- 
ficulties, Benj. Franklin said, ' Let us pray.' They 
had prayers, and found their way out of the difficulty. 
We want men who fear God, to manage the affairs 
of our Government. As said Jefferson, " I tremble 
for my country, when I remember God is just." 
Unless there is a change in the character of our great 
men, very soon, I believe I have seen the best days 
of America. 

See old George Washington kneeling down by the 
side of the fence, lifting his heart to God in prayer 
for his country. The old Quaker who overheard 
him, knew that God would hear that prayer, and 
give victory to America. Washington feared God, 
and committed his cause to him ; but the sentiment, 
" Our country, right or wrong," I fear will upset this 
nation ! We must have a greater regard for religion 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 161 

on the part of those who figure in the politics of our 
country, or we are gone. 

Now, friends, after hearing what the old man has 
to say about the concerns of this world, and the one 
thing needful, which will you choose ? 

O dear youth, will you not make the wise choice ? 
Come one and all, and make choice of the good part 
which shall not be taken away from you. 

Brethren, I renew my choice this day — I choose 
religion for my portion, forever. I know it will be 
good in death, and good at the great judgment, Avhen 
the supporters of infidelity will flee as a shadow." 



The following is a sketch of a speech he made at 
the last session of General Conference. "We are in- 
debted to Bro. A. K. Moulton, of Lowell, for it. The 
subject of the recent Fugitive Slave Law was under 
discussion. Some of the young men had waxed 
warm, as well they might, while considering some 
features of that ungodly law. Some had spoken of 
the right of resisting by arms in some cases, its exe- 
cution. It will be seen by this speech that, while the 
old gentleman is a thorough going Anti-Slavery man, 
he deduces his anti-slavery from his religion, rather 
than his religion from his anti-slavery. This speech 
presents an illustration also of his power of giving 
an interest to things with which the hearer has been 
familiar all his life. 

Eld. Clement Phinney being pressingly called 
for by the Conference, and being quite infirm in con- 
11 



162 THE LIFE OP 

sequence of the weight of years, was assisted to as- 
cend the pulpit stairs, and spoke something as follows : 
" I was lately thinking over the condition of the 
wretched slave, and saying in my heart — what will 
become of him — things seem to be growing worse 
and worse. But in the midst of this train of thought, 
T heard my Heavenly Father say — true, I did not 
hear any audible voice, but I seemed very sensible of 
his presence, and it seemed as though his spirit whis- 
pered to my soul and said, " Stop, stop, child. I'll 
see to it. Just you and the other abolitionists do 
your duty, and I'll see to it." Well, I looked about 
me,, and I could see no possible way by which any- 
thing could be done for the poor creatures, when all 
at once I espied Moses, gazing at a burning bush, 
which blazed and burned, and yet was not consumed. 
Moses was gazing in perfect wonder, for though he 
was skilled in all the learning of Egypt, he could not 
account for this strange sight. But by and by he 
heard a sound come out of the fire, which said to him, 
Moses, pull off your shoes from your feet, for you 
are on holy ground. Moses stripped off his shoes, 
and the bush kept burning ; and God said, I have 
seen the affliction of my people, and I have come 
now to send you for their deliverance. Moses began 
to make excuses about it, and said he wasn't fit to go, 
he was slow of speech, but God finally told him 
he would send Aaron with him. Moses had a rod in 
his hand, and the Lord told him to throw it on the 
ground, and he obeyed, and the rod became a serpent. 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 163 

Moses took it by the tail and it became a rod in his 
hand. He held out that rod, and started on his mis- 
sion. He didn't take any gun nor any sword, but 
only his rod that had been made a serpent, and started 
for Egypt. 

Some of our young brethren have been talking 
about shouldering their guns to light with the slave- 
holders. Better let your guns hang, young men ; 
you don't need them. Moses only took the weapon 
God directed him to. Only do this, and you may 
defy all the slaveholders that ever lived, from Pha- 
raoh down — all welded together. Glory to God, 
brethren, by this time, I began to feel better. I 
watched Moses and Aaron as they went on together. 
Moses was a stammering man, and Aaron spoke for 
him, each doing his duty as God directed. They 
went to old Pharaoh, and did their errand to him. 
But Pharaoh looked down upon them with disdain. 
Says he to them : You, Moses and Aaron, do you 
go about your business. My slaves are in that brick 
yard at work, and you must not meddle with them. 
It did not seem as though they could do much. These 
were all feeble instrumentalities, but still, however 
dark their prospects looked, they worked on, and did 
their duty. But they had to have awful work down 
there before Israel was set free. The old wretch 
hardened his heart and made the slaves work the 
harder, and then to be beaten because they didn't 
make as many brick when they had to gather stubble 
for straw, as when they had their straw all found. 
But God sent them judgment after judgment — he 



164 THE LIFE OF 

slew their cattle, turned their waters into blood, 
plagued them with locusts and frogs and hail and 
darkness, and among other plagues he tormented 
them with lice ; this was an awful plague. 

Finally, old Pharaoh had to give up. He couldn't 
stand it any longer ; and he said they might go. And 
so they started, father, mother, grandfather and grand- 
mother, and little children and all. O I thought then 
I saw them starting out from the southern plantations, 
just as the children of Israel from Egypt, and old 
Pharaoh couldn't help it. Moses still held on to his 
rod. But after they got out a little ways, the old vil- 
lain said, " ril have some sport with them. I don't 
know but that Moses thinks he will lead off those 
slaves, but he won't do it. Til follow them and have 
some- sport with them." So on he goes after them, 
with his mighty army. But when they stood by the 
border of the Bed Sea, crying to God, and the Egyp- 
tians pursuing, IMoses still holding out his rod — O 
that did me good, to see how he held out that rod- 
pressed hard in the rear by the Egyptians, God spake 
to him and said, " Speak to the people that they move 
forward." Moses stretched out his rod over the sea, 
and the sea divided, and gave the children of Israel 
a dry passage through the midst. Pharaoh pursued. 
But though the Israelites had a pillar of fire to en- 
lighten them, the Egyptians had to work in the dark, 
as the enemies of God's people always do, and just as 
the slaveholders are now doing, while God enlightens 
his children. 

The face of the country was such that the Egyp- 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 165 

tian hosts, compelled as they were to perform all their 
operations in darkness, could not tell where the bed 
of the sea commenced. So when they, by some 
means, discovered that Moses was on the march, they 
started too. As soon as they got fairly under way, 
and had all got down into the bed of the sea, glory 
to God, the Lord told one of his angels — " Here, do 
you go down there and pull out that old wretch's 
linchpins." So down flew the angel, and pulled out 
the linchpins and their wheels came off in the dark, 
and the sea poured in upon them, and destroyed the 
whole of them, and they sank like lead in the mighty 
waters. 

Then I saw Miriam leading forth the daughters of 
Israel with her timbrel in her hand, and a sweet singer 
she was too. I have no doubt she was as sweet a 
singer as Jenny Lind. [Great sensation, and some 
laughter.] Why, I did not mean to make you laugh, 
brethren. I am in earnest. I have no doubt she 
was as good a singer as Jenny Lind. And she led 
the choir, and they sang gloriously — a glorious song 
of triumph, and of praise to the living God. 

There, brethren, when I saw that, I shouted glory 
to God. And I said, O Lord, I won't worry any 
more about the slave laws, only try to do my duty, 
and stir up the brethren to do theirs, and though the 
slaveholders try their best, as sure as there is a God, 
these fellows will have to give up by and by. If they 
don't give up their slaves willingly, God will take 
them in hand as he did old Pharaoh — no trouble 
about it. You needn't take your guns, young men. 



166 THE LIFE OF 

With God for our defence, we are safe against all the 
slaveholders on earth. [Great sensation.] Well, 
brethren, I had no thought you were going to cheer 
me ; but you may depend, when I saw all this, I felt 
better ; and I thought I would just relate it for the 
benefit of my brethren. God will fix this matter 
right, you may depend upon it. Glory to his dear 
name.'* 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 167 



CHAPTER XII. 

MISCELLANEOUS INCIDENTS. CLOSING REMARKS. 

In this chapter, it is our purpose to gather up the 
fragments. As bj our correspondence with Mr. Phin- 
ney's friends, we have continued to receive items of 
information up to a time when most of the book is in 
type, some things to be mentioned here, appropriately 
belong to former pages, both in the order of time, and 
affinity of subjects. 

By the following incident, the reader will be again 
reminded that Mr. Phinney is keenly alive to the lu- 
dicrous. When near sixty years of age, he was con- 
versing at a Quarterly Meeting in presence of sev- 
eral of his fellow laborers, about some aged ministers 
who had entered upon their " second childishness." 
"They think," said he, "they know as much as they 
ever did, and they will not listen to the counsels of 
those who know them to be in their dotage. If it is 
not so with me now, it soon will be, I fear; but if I 
must be a child, I will do the best I can to secure 
good tutors and governors. I will now choose me 
three guardians." Accordingly he named three min- 
isters, " Now, brethren," said he, " in the presence 
of these witnesses, I in good faith, choose you as my 
guardians. When you see me in my dotage, and that 
I do not keep my place, tell me, and advise me what 
to do. I will believe, and mind you. Be faithful ; 
watch over me ; I shall be a child before I know it." 



168 THE LIFE OP 

Whenever lie meets with either of those brethren, he 
tells them that he is in their hands, but they say they 
have no occasion to exercise their authority. 

A young minister visited once where Mr. Phinney 
was engaged at the business of his trade. It seems 
that he was not personally acquainted with the cooper, 
though he had often heard of '' Mr. Phinney, the 
preacher." He seems to have been as vain a mortal 
as the young apostle described by Washington Irving 
in a recent letter. Having attended to the spiritual 
interests of the family, he turned, with an air of great 
importance, to our good-natured mechanic : " Well, 
old man," said he, ^' how fares it with your soul ?" 
" My proud heart," replied Mr. Phinney, " does not 
suffer me to follow my Savior with all that humility 
that becomes a child of God." The young preacher 
then gave him a long lecture, by which he tried to 
make " the old man" feel that he was upon the bor- 
ders of the grave, and that pride does not become 
poor dependent mortals. This lecture was received 
with great thankfulness and docility. At the close of 
the interview, the parishioner, willing to teach his 
pastor a little common sense, invited the " old man" 
to pray. Though Mr, Phinney says it is wicked to 
make the throne of grace " a whipping post," it would 
be no wonder if he prayed with much unction for the 
soul of the foolish young man. At all events, when 
the self-sufficient preacher heard who had prayed for 
him, either grace or shame enabled him to confess his 
foUy ; and since that time, it is said, his walk has been 
worthy of bis vocation. 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 169 

" One day, while he was preaching in a grove in 

Buckfield, a Mr. C , an opposer of religion, who 

resided in Turner village, went out of curiosity, to hear 
Mr. Phinney preach. The text on this occasion, was, 
'Incline your ear, and come unto me.' As Mr. C. 
was walking round the grove, he heard the preacher 
name the text. The Lord fastened it on his mind, 
and it seemed to be continually sounding in his ear, 
' Incline your ear,' — ' Incline your ear.' He went 
home in great distress of mind, and it seemed to him 
that he still heard the sound ringing in his ears, — ' In- 
cline your ear.' He went into his shop and locked 
the door, and spent most of the night in great mental 
agony. At one time he almost concluded to dispose 
of his property, — leave his family, — and go to some 
part of the country where no one would know him ; 
but he finally concluded to submit to the Lord, and 
* incline his ear' to divine instruction. He soon found 
the pardoning mercy of God, and became a faithful 
disciple of Christ. Soon after this, he went with the 
C. Baptist church in the place where he resided, and 
afterwards he became a deacon ; his office he has 
filled with honor to the cause to this day. Soon after 
Mr. C.'s conversion, he urged Mr. Phinney to go to 
Turner village, and preach. Accordingly he went, 
and addressed a large congregation in that place. At 
the close of the discourse, an elderly man, who pro- 
fessed to be a Universalist, came to the preacher and 
thanked him for his sermon, and requested the priv- 
ilege of asking a few questions. Mr. P. told him he 
would hear him. The old Erentleman then said, ' Do 



170 THE LIFE OF 

you believe any of the grace of God will be lost ? I 
want you to be very cautious how you answer this 
question.' Mr. P. then answered in the negative. 

* Well,' said the inquirer, ' we read that the grace of 
God which bringeth salvation has appeared to all 
men. Do you believe that ? Now, be careful, and 
mind what you say.' Mr. P. replied, ' Yes, I believe 
it.' Then, said the Universalist, ' All men will be 
saved, or some of the grace of God will be lost.' Mr. 
P. said, * I wish you would now hear me for a few 
moments. We read in the 25th chapter of Matthew, 
that the kingdom of heaven is as a man travellino; 
into a far country. [See Matt. 25:14 — 30.] So you 
see that the talent of grace was saved, and the sinner 
was lost. The Lord commanded that he should be 
cast into outer darkness : there shall he weeping and 
gnashing of teeth. Now, sir, have you ever heard 
that that poor creature has ever been released from 
that dreadful state ?' The man replied, ' I have not.' 

* Neither have I,' said Mr. P., ' and if you should 
ever ascertain that he has been released, I wish you 
would have the goodness to send me a line, informing 
me of the fact.' Said the old gentleman, ' I never 
thought of that before.' ' AYell,' said Mr. P., ' think 
now,' and so saying, he bade him good night. It is 
well, sometimes, to answer a fool according to his 
folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit."* 

Bro. Curtis also gives the following particulars rel- 
ative to the commencement of the revival that occur- 



* For these two anecdotes, we are indebted to Rev. S. Curtis, of 
Roxbury, Mass. 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 171 

red in Brunswick in 1837. Several ministers had 
been engaged four or five days in the meeting, with 
little prospect of good. Sabbath evening, Mr. Phin- 
nej, and another preacher took tea with Mr. W., an 
impenitent man. When the conversation turned upon 
religion, he confessed that he had often been deeply 
convicted, but still hesitated and postponed. Mr. 
Phinney proceeded to describe the hesitating man's 
experience: "You are deeply convicted," said he 
to Mr. "VY., " under the preached word on Sabbath ; 
you then think you will certainly give yourself up to 
the service of the Lord, but you do not fully decide. 
Monday morning, bright and early, you let the cares 
of the world rush into your mind : you become wholly 
absorbed in worldly interests, ' Come, boys,' you say, 
* let's at the work ;' so on you drive, till your serious- 
ness is gone, and so you get along week after week." 

That night, Mr. W. fully decided. When at church 
the invitation was given to the anxious, he w^as the 
first to press forward to the altar ; seventeen others 
followed him. Thus the glorious work began. How 
much good one hesitating man prevents ; how much 
good one manly act ensures ! How reasonable, that 
for our influence we must give account. 

It might have been stated more appropriately in 
another place, that when Mr. Phinney was returning 
home from this revival, he spent a few days in Free- 
port. Sometimes he preached in the Calvinistic Bap- 
tist church, sometimes in the Congregationalist. The 
converts, of whom there were several, he advised to 
seek a home in the churches already organized. 



172 THE LIFE OF 

" Religion," said he to them, " is nothing to quarrel 
about." He remembers the kind treatment he re- 
ceived in that place. 

It has been stated that in 1830 he took a pastoral 
charge in Buckfield. That, so far as we have learned, 
was his last charge of that kind. Two or three years 
after that, he took up his residence in Raymond. 
There, since then, we believe, his home was, till within 
a year or two, when, in consequence of the death of 
one of his daughters, it was changed to Portland. 

" You doubtless understand," says one of his friends, 
in writing to us, " that for the last twenty years, Bro. 
P. has employed most of his time in either supplying 
churches destitute of pastors, or the desks of pastors 
in their occasional absence. A church destitute, in- 
vites him to preach till they can obtain a pastor. Re- 
vivals often follow his labors in such cases." Besides 
this, however, he has from time to time made tours 
as an evangelist, as in 1841, in New Hampshire, 
through Tam worth. Sandwich, Meredith, Gilmanton, 
etc., spending several weeks in each place. 

Though many years desirous of visiting Rhode 
Island, and going over the ground where Colby, 
White, Lamb, and Jordan, had labored, and though 
he had started more than once from home, with the 
intention of visiting that State, he never accomplished 
this purpose till last autumn. At that time, he was 
doubly gratified, for he was then permitted to attend 
a session of the General Conference at Providence. 
He never attended a session before, and he is persua- 
ded he never will have the privilege of seeing an- 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 173 

Other. How he enjoyed the occasion, his own re- 
marks will show. AVhen Conference was about to 
adjourn, he, with others of the aged ministers, was 
invited to speak. The following are the remarks he 
then made, as reported by Bro. Moulton : 

" He thanked God he could say that he could reckon 
the days of this Conference among the happiest days 
of his life. He had always known that himself and 
his brethren were full of foibles, and so he did not 
look for perfection in this Conference, but he had ad- 
mired the general order, and mostly the spirit which 
had been manifest in the Conference in the transac- 
tion of all its business. As for the demeanor of 
young men towards the old, he had reason always to 
be thankful for the respect which young men had 
shown to him since he had become aged and infirm. 
They had honored him beyond what he deserved, but 
he trusted that this abundance of respect would do 
him no harm — he would try to keep humble under it. 
He would say to the young ministers, he hoped they 
would never leave the walls till death. He hoped 
that sanctified education would increase among our 
young men. He was not at all afraid that the young 
men's shining so brightly would throw him into the 
shade. The brethren perhaps had all read the few 
reflections which he wrote for the Morning Star a few 
years since, in relation to the big lamp and the little 
one. Like that little lamp, he would keep shining 
what he could, however many brilliant ones might be 
about him. None of the old brethren need fear being 



174 THE LIFE OF 

thrown into the shade. Let every one shine his own 
bigness. 

He rejoices that the blessed Master has told all his 
disciples how to be great — it is by being little. If 
any one would be great, let him be a servant of the 
rest. He thought Bro. Knowlton had it right, when 
he said, the main point was to be good. The best 
man would do the most after all. We should now 
part and meet no more here. But when should we 
all meet again to part no more ?" 

At another time, when the subject of Missions was 
under consideration, he made the following remarks : 

" He is a missionary. God made him a mission- 
ary many years ago, and he has been engaged in the 
work and the cause ever since. He loves it. He 
sacrificed the society of wife and children, house and 
home to engage in it. He did it cheerfully, and has 
worn out a good constitution in travelling from place 
to place to preach the gospel, and would willingly do 
the same thing over again. He is glad he came to 
this Conference, if it were only to attend this meet- 
ing. He has often said he would be glad to live on 
bread and water, if by so doing he could impart some 
of his experience to others, especially to the young 
men of our denomination who are just entering the 
ministry. He had obtained his education not in sem- 
inaries, nor, the greater part of it, from books. But 
he had been educated in the school of experience. 
And he thinks that book learning is but a small part 
of the education which a young man needs to win 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 175 

souls skilfully. He needs first of all to have the 
cause of God and the worth of souls uppermost in 
his heart. If they have this qualification, they will 
most likely be useful and will be sustained. He 
has often been reduced in his circumstances, but has 
usually had enough to supply his present wants, and 
a little to impart to those who were more needy than 
himself, and something to aid in the cause of God. 
He has been pleading earnestly with God to raise up 
others who would sound the alarm in the ears of a 
guilty world; and while here assembled with the 
ministers and brethren, he has felt that in some degree 
God has answered his prayers. As he has looked on 
the faces of so many promising young men, whom he 
has never seen before, he has been ready to exclaim, 
' Whence came ye ?' and he has seemed to hear his 
Heavenly Father say, ' I have raised them up, in an- 
swer to your prayers.' He has been looking back 
meanwhile for his former associates as he has found 
himself among strangers. 

He has inquired — where is Joseph White, with 
whom he used to lock arms and walk to the house of 
God? Bro. White used to say to the younger minis- 
ters — ' Go to work in the vineyard of the Lord, if he 
has called you, and if they give you enough, be thank- 
ful for it, and if they give you but little, make the 
most of it and work on ; and if you do not receive 
enough to make you comfortable, we will divide with 
you to the last loaf.' He saw Bro. White just before 
he died, and conversed with him, as he sat in his arm 
chair.' ' Go,' said he, ' Bro. Phinney ; go and sound 



176 THE LIFE OF 

salvation. I can go with you no more.' And then, 
as the tears were flowing from his eyes, he added, 
* My spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak.' 
He felt, as he remembered those who had gone, like 
exclaiming. Oh ! that God would raise up more 
Whites and more Colbys to supply the place of those 
who have gone." 

Here, having spoken of some of his own trials and 
God's delivering grace, he proceeded :* 

" He assures the brethren, that whether they shall 
locate or evangelize, God will take care of them, if 
they shall faithfully discharge their duty. He has 
always been taken care of God's hand has been 
stretched out towards him sometimes in a miraculous 
manner, and he has not only been supplied with food 
and clothing, house and home, and a little to bestow, 
but, thanks to God, has a little left for a rainy day. 

He reckons himself among the second crop of 
Free-will Baptist ministers ever raised. The first 
crop was Randall and his associates of about equal 
age. They are gone. Randall did great good. He 
was a man of God and possessed good native talents ; 
but if he had had a thorough education he would 
probably have done four times as much as he did. 
He (Phinney) was made for a Free-will Baptist. 
Was free-born. He was brought up by Hopkinto- 
nian parents. His mother used to take him by her 
knee and teach him the Catechism, beginning, ' What 
is the chief end of man,' &c. But one day when so 



* See chapter 6lb. 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 177 

engaged, lie told her [in regard to the answer to the 
question on the decrees of God,] that he did not be- 
lieve it. His good mother was dreadfully shocked, 
and the first opportunity she had, he heard her telling 
his father what a dreadful boy Clement was — why, 
he had contradicted the Primer ! But believe it he 
could not, and did not. After he grew up, he went 
to Fort Hill once, to meeting, and there he saw an 
old gray-headed man, and heard him pouring out the 
doctrine of free salvation. He said in his heart, 
' This is it,' and he at once formed an attachment to 
that dear people, which has never been broken. 

He hopes those who are called of God into the 
work of the ministry, will be faithful, and study to 
know duty, and be found much in prayer. And that 
none will be set apart to this work, unless they are 
called thereunto by the Holy Ghost. He thinks min- 
isters sometimes mistake their appropriate sphere of 
labor. He has been pained to see some, who were 
never designed for pastors, undertake to settle down 
with a church. When he has known of some, that 
they had taken the pastoral charge of a church — some 
who were useful evangelists — he has said — there will 
be a smoke in that church ; and so it has been. He 
wants to say one thing to the young brethren, and he 
wants they should mind him — he wants them to find 
their proper places, and keep them — for he is fully 
certain, that they are, many of them, out of their 
place. 

He hopes we shall all be increased in faith, and 

then we shall see better days." 
12 



178 THE LIFE OF 

Other remarks he made, were reported by Bros. 
Moulton and Day, but perhaps enough has been 
copied to show the reader his spirit while at Confer- 
ence. 

Having passed the Sabbath after Conference closed, 
with Elder M. Cheney, in Olneyville, Mr. Phinney 
went to Pascoag, where he spent four or five Sab- 
baths with Elder D. P. Harriman. If we are cor- 
rectly informed, he was permitted to see some in the 
last place turn to the Lord. Several other places in 
Rhode Island, he visited. In December, he returned 
to Massachusetts. The first Sabbath of this year, he 
passed with Bro. Curtis, whose pulpit he has often 
supplied months together, in Roxbury, and other 
places. Next, he went to Lowell, where he labored 
with Elder Moulton during a part of the revival with 
which that church has been recently blessed. Thence 
to his home in Portland, where we now leave him. 

" While I was at Pascoag," says he, " the people 
of Harrisville, some miles distant, sent for me to hold 
a meeting in that place. I complied. On my way 
back to P., I observed, in Burrillville, an old meeting 
house, in a state of decay, it having been deserted for 
many years. On inquiry, the young man with whom 
I rode informed me that this was a F. W. Baptist meet- 
ing house, in which John Colby, Joseph White, Geo. 
Lamb and Zachariah Jordan had often preached. I 
told the young man to stop, and let me go in. He 
did 60 ; I entered the house, and walked up into the 
pulpit. I stood where my old yoke-fellows in the 
gospel had stood and proclaimed free salvation to per- 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 179 

ishing sinners. A few years have passed, and tliey 
have all, except Elder Jordan, who is superannuated, 
gone to their rewards. I am older than any of them. 
This was a solemn time to me. As I stood there, I 
thought of my old yoke-fellows, whose bodies are 
slumbering in the dust, and whose spirits, young 
again, are with those of Randall and others of " the 
Fathers," around the glorious throne above. I looked 
upon the crumbling walls of that old house, and I 
thought of the decaying old house of my earthly tab- 
ernacle. O how glorious to know that I have a build- 
ing of God, an house not made with hands, eternal 
in the heavens. I had a good, solemn meeting." 

A little reflection upon the interesting scene just 
described, will enable any one to understand how, 
from the perversion of the best feelings of our nature, 
arose in the early ages of the church, the invocation 
of the Saints, veneration for relics, and finally, the 
worship of images. The more deeply we are read 
in human nature, the more charitable the spirit with 
which we look upon the various superstitions of our 
race, while at the same time we the more successfully 
guard ourselves against them. 

In his denominational relations there is one view 
of Mr. Phinney that cannot be easily appreciated, 
until, at least, another half century has passed. In 
most, if not in all, new denominations, whatever other 
evils may exist, there is little or no oppression. If 
by appointment, there is one class of men in author- 
ity^ there is no such thing in spirit. Nor does it make 
any difference, in this respect, what form of govern- 



180 THE LIFE OF 

ment is assumed. By necessity, there is substantially 
an equality. Affairs proceed in obedience to an un- 
written constitution, that is above all letter. It can- 
not be written. In the next stage of development, 
the number of adherents increasing, the interests be- 
come more varied. Elements of disorder appear. In 
most cases, now comes the strenuous effort to sys- 
tematize, for the world has produced only one Loyola 
and one Wesley. Specific laws, either written or 
unwritten, must now be enforced. There now arise 
two classes of men, the one makes efforts to secure 
system and order ; the other, is either opposed to sys- 
tem and order, or, what amounts to the same thing, 
opposed to all efficient measures for securing them. 
One part of the former class is composed of those 
who strive for order, rather by giving the importance 
of fundamental law to all the customs that sprung up 
in the former period, though many of them are suita- 
ble to it alone ; the other, of those who wish to sep- 
arate the incidental and partial from the essential — 
who seek to' embody in the constitution universal 
principles by which the rights of all are secured by 
clearly defined law. 

In the strife of these elements, brotherly love is 
too often forgotten. Passions, not altogether heav- 
enly, are called into play ; wills, whose volitions are 
not always in accordance with the law of love, be- 
come fixed in purpose. Some, as if in imitation of 
the leaders of the former period, become the conscious 
managers of affairs, while, however, those whom they 
would imitate, unconsciously fulfilled their destiny. 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 181 

Others would become heroes of a new denomination, 
and therefore exaggerate every appearance of evil, 
that they may become the liberators of the oppressed. 
This tendency to disunion in a new denomination, is 
enhanced from the facts that seceders from it have 
little to lose in comparison with those who secede 
from a people of long standing, and that others, the 
founders of the denomination in question, whom the as- 
pirants have perhaps often seen and heard, have achiev- 
ed for themselves a name that already begins to be ven- 
erated. They forget the difference between being driven 
forward by the uncontrollable spirit of the times, and 
making one's own occasion. It happens thus in this 
stage, that the bonds of union of an internal nature, 
are on the whole, greatly weakened, while the time 
for those of an external, has scarcely arrived. 

It has fallen to the lot of Mr. Phinney, to spend 
his life in what we call the second stage of develop- 
ment of the denomination of which he is a member. 
Now, though we may not always approve his posi- 
tion, and though he may have passed from one posi- 
tion to another in his relations to system and order, 
one thing, every person who knows him will concede 
to him, viz., the merit of walking in the spirit of 
charity. If at one time he is borne along too far by 
the fanaticism of Cochran, he has so manifested the 
spirit of charity and moderation that he can do much 
in saving others when he changes his course ; if we 
see him borne onward by a disorganizing spirit till 
he hesitates in regard to organizing churches, when 
his duty becomes clear, he is able to save those whom 



182 THE LIFE OF 

Others cannot approach nor influence to good ; if we 
see him exerting his influence against narrow views 
in relation to ministerial support, and ministerial edu- 
cation, we see him patiently wait, as one conscious of 
possessing the truth, till arguments have time to work 
a change. If he cannot at once induce his brethren 
to perform their duty, he perseveres in his own. All 
who know him will concede that he is among those of 
whom the Savior said, " Blessed are the peace-mak- 
ers, for they shall be called the children of God." 
He has been a mediator in a time when one was much 
needed among the people with whom his lot has been 
cast. The useful office, to which we have just alluded, 
we might say he has unconsciously filled. This hap- 
py result has arisen from that charity that is to out- 
live faith and hope, operating in a constitution pecul- 
iarly adapted by nature to such an office, but let the 
heart of each be as fully permeated by that charity 
as his has been, and, whatever his constitution, he 
will accomplish some end worthy of the Christian 
name. 

The remaining portion of this chapter, though in 
one or two points a repetition of what he said at Con- 
ference, shall be given, almost word for word, as it 
was taken from his lips. 

CLOSING REMARKS. 

" I have named," says he, " some places in which 
the brethren have bestowed upon me liberally. I have 
neglected to mention many places equally deserving 
of gratitude. But I desire to say that, during the 
first years of my service in the ministry, I was fre- 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 183 

quently compelled to leave reformations at their very 
height, and resort to ray cooper's tools for the support 
of ray faraily. While thus engaged, as I thought of 
the reforraations I had left, ray heart was burdened, 
and I lifted up my complaints to the Lord. I inquired 
duty at his hand. ' I am,' said I, * but one poor man. 
I cannot be in two places at the same time. I cannot 
support my family by my daily labor, and at the same 
time labor in reformations.' At length, my Heavenly 
Father came to my relief. He seemed to say to me, 
* Go preach to your brethren their whole duty. Tell 
them of their duty to support their ministers, as well 
as of other duties.' This was very crossing to me. 
Most of the older ministers had preached against all 
systematic raeasures for raising salaries for themselves 
and others. They barely tolerated private gifts. If 
they were at any time bestowed, the precept, * Let 
not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth,' 
must be remembered and kept. This doctrine had 
been sweet to me in former years. I thought it noth- 
ing less than gospel. How strange that my early 
training had so blinded me ! How could I, year after 
year, so pervert my blessed Savior's words. He told 
me how I ought to bestow alms upon some suffering 
stranger, perhaps, and I foolishly thought I raust treat 
my minister like a beggar. But I now began to see 
Paul meant something different from alms when he 
was writing to his Corinthian brethren. ' For it is 
written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle 
the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth 
God take care for oxen ? Or saith he it altogether 



184 THE LIFE OP 

for our sakes ? For our sakes no doubt this is writ- 
ten ; that he that plougheth should plough in hope ; 
and he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of 
his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, 
is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things/ 
&c. 

Soon after I began to see things in this new light, 
I was riding with a deacon. Just in advance was a 
minister, whose gray locks suggested to me a text for 
a private sermon to my companion. ' Deacon,' said 
I, * what a faithful man that is ; how hard he has la- 
bored. He has been sent to Quarterly Meetings and 
Yearly Meetings : the most of his life he has spent 
in this town, in preaching the gospel — and all without 
remuneration. As I had labored in the same town 
without receiving anything like a compensation, the 
good deacon mistrusted I was talking two words for 
myself where I did one for my fellow minister. * Bro. 
Phinney,' said he, * when you come to my place, your 
horse shall have the best hay and grain my barn af- 
fords ; you shall have the best food and bed my house 
affords ; and you always have been welcome, and you 
always shall be.' * Thank you, deacon,' said I, * you 
are very kind ; you could not treat me better than 
you always have ; but I never go to your place with- 
out wishing my poor wife and children could have 
some good things, as well as I and my old horse.' 

Here a pause ensued. The deacon made no reply. 
He rode along, pondering what had been said. I 
think his thoughts were not in vain. Soon after, I 
visited his town again. He treated me as he had 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 185 

promised to, and when I was leaving, he sent to my 
family 'some good things/ as he called provisions 
and money. Ever since then, he thinks to inquire 
about the wants of my family. 

At another time, I was conversing with a farmer 
on this subject. I tried to make him see the truth in 
the following manner : You send your four sons, A. 
B. C. and D. into the corn-field. You give each an 
equal number of rows to hoe, as their task. They 
go at it early in the morning. They all keep along 
together. By and by, the sun being an hour or two 
high, they are all thirsty. The others entreat A. to 
go and bring water to quench their thirst. A. being 
very thirsty himself, consents to go. He returns, sup- 
plies them, and then must take time to put away the 
vessel in which he brought the water. By this time, 
his row is far behind the rest. But he goes to work 
patiently ; toward evening, by his hard striving he 
has gained on them somewhat, but still his row is not 
quite even. Now, the brothers insist upon sending 
A. for a lunch. Away he goes again, to bring food 
for them. They neglect his row, as before, while he 
is laboring to supply their common wants. When he 
returns, he patiently works to accomplish his task. 
Some time before the sun is down, their rows are 
done. They leave him to toil alone till his locks are 
wet with the evening dew, and at last, discouraged, 
he relinquishes the field, though his work is not fin- 
ished. ' Now tell me,' said I to my friend, the farmer, 
* is that fair ?' He looked as though a new thought 
had come to his mind, though he made me no reply ; 



186 THE LIFE OP 

but afterwards, he occasionally helped me to bring up 
my row. 

When I was pressed in my mind in regard to duty, 
as connected with reformations, as I mentioned a lit- 
tle while ago, the Lord gave me the assurance that if 
I would be faithful in my ministry, and never play 
truant, my row should be brought up. Since that, I 
have made preaching my principal care. I have 
more than once seen hard times, but a way of escape 
has always been opened. Though others have trav- 
elled more extensively than I have, it is probable that 
I have devoted more years to the ministry than any 
of the ministers, excepting only Elder John Buzzell. 
Many have relied in part for their support upon 
sources aside from what they have received for 
preaching. I have entirely relied, since the first few 
years, upon what I have received from the brethren. 
I have been so well provided for, that, aside from 
bringing up to manhood ten children, I have enough 
for the present for myself and companion, the sharer 
of my toils, and if I am called to leave her in this 
world, I can commend her to the care of the breth- 
ren, with the sweet assurance that her last days would 
be, to say the least, above want. 

Here I will say, that the man who is called to 
the ministry, should make it his principal care. He 
is not at liberty to engage in other employments to 
the detriment of his heavenly calling. His study, 
his visiting, his funerals, his preparations, if he is 
faithful to his calling, will take up the most of his 
time. Now, brethren, I do not ask you that A.'s row 



CLEMENT PHINNEY. 187 

should be in advance of the rest, but be sure it is 
not left behind. Let his chance be an average one. 
I do not ask that he should fare better than his peo- 
ple, but let him fare as well. On the other hand, I 
do not wish him to preach for money. But if he is 
faithful to supply your spiritual wants, I hope you 
will so treat him that, with his own prudence and 
economy, he and his family may not, in old age, be 
dependent upon charity. Don't go to play till A. can 
go with you. 

Said a man to me once, * It is dangerous to give 
much to preachers, they will become proud.' ' Why 
so,' said I. * Are your ministers more liable to be- 
come proud than others ? Many of you are worth 
your thousands, and I do not see that you are proud. 
Have your preachers softer heads than others ?' 

There are various gifts among preachers. Each 
one should be at his own post. There must be hands 
and feet, pastors and evangelists, etc. I have seen 
great difficulties when pastors have tried to be evan- 
gelists ; and when evangelists have tried to be pas- 
tors, I have seen churches broken to pieces. We 
ought to pray Elder Tingley's prayer oftener. Each 
should pray for light to find his own place, without 
reference to the calling or standing of others. Some 
are able doctrinal preachers ; some are able in ex- 
hortation ; others are revivalists, and others still, mis- 
sionaries. 

Each one should prepare for his own calling. Each 
one has a born gift. When one is converted, his tal- 
ent should be devoted to his own work. It is obliga- 



188 THE LIFE OF 

tory upon each preacher to gain as much real knowl- 
edge as is possible, not that he may neglect his peculiar 
gifts, but that he may in all humility exercise them 
the more successfully for the salvation of souls. Let 
each labor for a sanctified education — not for the sake 
of worldly fame, or the mastery. 

This leads me to remark, I believe some ministers 
of the present day are as weak as were the apostles. 
They once had a strife as to who should be greatest. 
So now, some ministers strive for the mastery. Some 
are altogether too vain of the titles conferred in these 
times upon preachers. This is not only a great wick- 
edness, but a pitiable weakness. We ought to praise 
God for all his gifts, though some differ from us, and 
others are greater. I have seen men of education 
and, fine cloth, aggravated because revivals sometimes 
follow the labors of an humble cooper. We ought to 
know that all these differences detract nothing from 
the real value of any one. Each one can fill his own 
place, if he does not wickedly try to pass for much 
more than "he is worth. One day I took from my 
pocket a handful of money. The quarter was worth 
a quarter, and the shilling a shilling, though beside a 
dollar. But there was a fourpence in my hand that 
had been hammered out so that it was much larger 
than it ought to be — so thin that it was bent. When 
I had occasion to employ it, behold, it passed for five 
cents only. Then, brethren, I thought what a good 
thing it would be if we should never get under the 
devil's hammer. 

As I have said in another place, I was a Free-will 



CLEMENT PHINNET. 189 

Baptist in doctrine, long before I was converted. By- 
conversion, I was not changed in this respect, but aa 
soon as I followed my convictions in all respects, as 
the Christian profession requires, I found my home. 
But, notwithstanding my warmth of attachment to 
the doctrines and government of the church of my 
choice, as well as to the people themselves, I have 
always loved other Christians, of whatever name. 

I could never believe in Calvinism, but I have 
found among its believers as genuine Christians and 
in as great proportion as I have found anywhere. I 
have therefore rejoiced to see additions to them. Un- 
der my own labors I have seen hundreds added to 
them. If at any time we see in Christians what to 
us are errors, however much we pity them, we must 
never forget to love. It has always grieved me to 
see any shyness among Christians of different names. 
We all ought to be on a level. We ought to be get- 
ting rid of every thing that does not necessarily sep- 
arate us. 

I would return my grateful acknowledgments to 
all my friends, of different denominations, for the 
many favors they have bestowed upon one so un- 
worthy. They stood by me in my youth ; in middle 
age I was not deserted by them ; in old age I am re- 
ceived and treated as a father. 

I am not aware that I have an enemy. If I have, 
let him know hereby that he is forgiven. 

My chosen brethren, as I have tried to labor in the 
Master's cause, the last of my three score and ten 
years has been unexpectedly numbered. I am now 



190 THE LIFE OP PHINNEY. 

living on borrowed time. It affords me great pleas- 
ure, however, now that I am so near the close of my 
pilgrimage, to see around me so many evidences of 
increasing intelligence, liberality, and Christian self- 
sacrifice among those with whom I have labored, and 
whom I am about to leave. There is much yet to be 
done, but, thank God, take courage and press forward. 

Though the shades of death are gathering around 
me, I shall still labor for the salvation of sinners 
while any light remains ; I still hope, through Christ 
who has redeemed me, to do something to augment 
that happy company that shall come up in robes made 
white by His blood. Owing to my age and infirmi- 
ties there are thousands of you I cannot expect to 
meet again. My hope of meeting all the faithful 
where there is no more pain, and no more parting, is 
unwavering. Of all such of you as I shall not meet 
till we arrive in that happy world, I here take ray 
leave. Farewell." 

Dear reader, we may or may not live to hear of 
one more iinportant event in this pilgrim's progress 
toward his Heavenly Inheritance. Beyond that event 
there is no light for the natural eye, but to the eye of 
the genuine Christian's faith, there are glorious vis- 
ions. Let his faithful example stimulate us to double 
our diligence to run with patience the Christian race, 
that in the morning of the resurrection, awaking in 
the likeness of our Redeemer, we may receive the in- 
corruptible crown of righteousness. 






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